Mavis Nkansah-Boadu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, told Parliament on Thursday that not a single Ghanaian has been affected by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
She said that although the tragic nature of the conflict has raised many concerns about the welfare of Ghanaians in Israel, the Ghanaian mission in Tel Aviv has reported that no Ghanaians were involved in the attacks and that the Ghanaian community is safe. He said that
Mrs. Nkansah disclosed this in a statement on the floor of Parliament regarding the rising tensions between Israel and Hamas.
“At this time, the issue of evacuation of nationals from Israel has not been raised,” Mrs. Nkansah said.
“Furthermore, our mission is in close contact with the leaders of the Ghanaian community, providing the ministry with updates on their welfare, and providing updates on the welfare of the Ghanaian community in Israel to the public. We plan to offer it to people.”
She said that in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 7, Hamas launched a brazen, multi-pronged dawn attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip into areas of southern Israel and northern Tel Aviv by air, land and sea, killing at least 1,400 people, including: He recalled killing many Israelis. Of the 289 soldiers and some foreigners, more than 4,010 were injured and dozens were abducted to the Gaza Strip.
He said Israeli counterattacks had killed more than 8,300 Palestinians and injured more than 20,000 as of October 30.
He said the dire humanitarian situation continues to worsen as Israel intensifies its military response in the Gaza Strip to free hostages and eliminate Hamas militants.
Mrs Nkansah said the United Nations Security Council, of which Ghana is currently a member, was scrambling for answers in the wake of the crisis.
He said the Security Council’s paralysis was not expected, given the political sensitivity that has traditionally characterized the Council’s handling of the Palestinian issue.
He said attempts to take a unified position on the unprecedented attacks in Israel and Gaza had proved futile, and that Russia, Brazil, the United States and the United Arab Emirates (on behalf of the Arab group) had submitted He said that consensus could not be reached on several resolutions. .
He said some resolutions lacked the balance needed to gain support from all sides.
He endorsed a resolution in which Ghana condemns violence and hostilities against civilians and calls for a “humanitarian moratorium” that would allow aid agencies full, safe and unimpeded access to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians. He said he voted in favor of it.
Mrs. Nkansah said Ghana had always advocated for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the Middle East conflict.
Ghana therefore aims to find a just, peaceful and durable solution that guarantees the right of the State of Israel to exist within secure and universally recognized boundaries and the legitimate self-rights of the Palestinian people. He said he supported all international efforts. -Determination and establishment of a Palestinian state.
He said Ghana believes that a two-state solution based on negotiation and dialogue is the most viable option in the global effort to bring lasting peace to the ordinary peoples of Israel and Palestine. said.
He said in a press release on October 8 that the Government of Ghana has expressed its unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’ actions and reasserted Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.
He said the statement also called on Hamas to withdraw its militants from southern Israel and called on the Israeli government to exercise restraint in responding to Hamas attacks.
Most members of the House of Representatives contributing to the statement called on both Israel and Hamas to ceasefire and return to the negotiating table in order to implement the principle of a two-state solution.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) Abuakwa South Member of Parliament (MP) Samuel Atta Akyea has praised the Ghanaian government for taking a strong stance condemning Hamas for the October 7 attack on southern Israel.
He noted that the right of Israel to exist as a state and the right of Palestine to exist as a state must be respected.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelupuo has called on the Ghanaian government to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
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