- The ministry called on both sides to give room for humanitarian considerations and to resolve the conflict through dialogue
- The Israeli military responded with air strikes on targets in Gaza and said it had mobilised tens of thousands of reservists
Following the start of hostilities on Saturday, the federal government has called for a de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas.
In a statement released through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the government expressed its serious concern for the situation and urged both parties to use caution and put the protection of civilians first.
The statement said that the spiral of violence and retribution that the present escalation has taken on only serves to perpetuate an endless circle of misery and suffering for the civilian population, who bears the brunt of every battle.
The ministry urged both parties to allow for humanitarian concerns and to negotiate a peaceful end to the crisis.
Recall that the Palestinian armed group Hamas, early Saturday, launched a surprise attack against Israel, the most serious escalation since the two sides fought an 11-day war in 2021.
Hamas said it had fired 5,000 rockets, while Israel confirmed that the group’s fighters had entered its territory.
The Israeli military responded with air strikes on targets in Gaza and said it had mobilised tens of thousands of reservists.
More than a hundred people have been confirmed dead.
The full statement reads:
7th October, 2023
PRESS STATEMENT
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA CALLS FOR DE-ESCALATION OF HOSTILITIES BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS
The Federal Government of Nigeria is deeply concerned about the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the early hours of Saturday, 7th October, 2023 and calls for de-escalation and ceasefire.
2. The cycle of violence and retaliation that the current escalation has assumed, only serves to perpetuate an unending cycle of pain and suffering for the civilian population, that bear the brunt of every conflict.
3. The Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on both sides to exercise restraint, prioritize the safety of civilians and give room for humanitarian considerations.
4. We are therefore calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue.
Amb. Yusuf M. Tuggar (OON)
Minister of Foreign Affairs
