"This should not become new normal for Palestinians," says Egypt Ambassador to India Wael Hamed
Jul 22, 2024
New Delhi [India], July 22 : Expressing his deep concern over the heartbreaking situation in Gaza, Egypt's Ambassador to India Wael Hamed, emphasized that the current state of conflict should not become the "new normal" for the Palestinian people.
During the speech on the Egypt's national day, Hamed said, "In Gaza, the situation is heartbreaking and we watch daily on our TV screens, a brutal war on civilians that has no precedent in our civilised world. While we condemn all forms of terrorism, including state-sponsored terrorism, this should not become the new normal for the Palestinian people."
Hamed further said that people have a right to live securely in a dignified way. He said, "The numbers of the killed and the wounded is not just a number. It is people with flesh and blood with families and loved ones, and with legitimate dreams and aspirations. These people have the right to create their own states where they live securely and in a dignified way, next to their equally secure and dignified neighbours."
Meanwhile, the Israeli military continued pressing Hamas in central and southern Gaza during the last 24 hours, altered the boundaries of the Al Mawasi humanitarian zone because of "significant terrorist activity and rocket fire," and called on residents of certain Khan Yunis neighborhoods to evacuate ahead of new operations against there, the Israel Defense Forces said on Monday morning.
Based on intelligence, Israel killed Muhammad Abu Seidu, a member of Hamas's Nukhba Force who participated in Hamas's attack on Israeli communities on October 7. Seidu also directed multiple attacks against Israeli forces in the Strip.
In Rafah's Tel al-Sultan neighbourhood, troops eliminated dozens of terrorists in close-quarters encounters.
The Israeli Air Force struck approximately 35 targets throughout Gaza, including terrorists, military structures, Hamas infrastructure, and a rocket launcher that was aimed at Israeli territory.
The IDF said it was adjusting the boundaries of a humanitarian zone because Hamas activity and rocket fire made it dangerous for Israeli forces to remain there. The army said the adjustment was based on intelligence indicating that Hamas "embedded terrorist infrastructure in the area defined by the Humanitarian Area."
The army also called on residents of the eastern neighbourhoods of Khan Yunis to evacuate to Al Mawasi ahead of new activities against Hamas there.
At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 116 remaining hostages, more than 30 are believed dead.