New Delhi, June 26: The Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, expressed confidence on Thursday that India will soon provide substantial medical assistance, as the health system in Palestine is in complete disarray.
In an interview, Abu Shawesh described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “very dire.” Out of 36 hospitals in Gaza, only 17 are functioning to some extent. Since the ceasefire was announced last October, over 1,000 Palestinians have lost their lives.
He criticized the international community for not making adequate efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue. He also acknowledged India’s support for a two-state solution and New Delhi’s efforts in the peace process.
Question: Can you elaborate on Palestine’s request for medicines and medical equipment from India?
Answer: Since the onset of the Israeli conflict, India has sent a significant amount of medicines and medical supplies to Palestine. Last Friday, I held a press conference at the Palestinian Embassy, appealing to the international community, especially the people and government of India, to assist the Palestinian people. My recent press conference addressed the complete breakdown of Palestine’s health system. A few days prior, I had a productive conversation with the Minister of External Affairs, who assured me they would do their utmost. Honestly, I am confident that the Indian government will soon take significant and impactful steps. Just two days ago, I received a call from the Foreign Minister. The process is ongoing, and it seems we are quite close to receiving substantial aid from the Indian Embassy or the Ministry of External Affairs. Additionally, not only the Indian government but also many Indian individuals and organizations are reaching out. We hope to receive a considerable amount of medical equipment, supplies, and other essentials from the Indian populace soon.
Question: How do you view the current humanitarian situation in Gaza, and what is the biggest challenge facing Palestine today?
Answer: When discussing the humanitarian situation, it cannot be categorized as a single issue. There are various humanitarian challenges, each with its severity. We are nearing almost 1,000 days since the Israeli war began. Israel has devastated everything in Gaza, including infrastructure and the health system. Of the 36 hospitals, only about 17 are partially operational. Approximately 700,000 Palestinian students have lost two years of education. Just two days ago, the United Nations Human Rights Council released a shocking report highlighting the loss of childhood for children affected by Israeli attacks. Therefore, when we talk about the humanitarian situation, everything in Gaza is in extremely poor condition. If we look at it in parts, hunger and food scarcity still exist in Gaza. Although the situation is not as severe as it was a few months ago, the problem persists. People are still being targeted. Since the ceasefire was announced last October, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 250 children. According to Save the Children, we are talking about nearly 5,000 children. Recent UN reports indicate that around 5,000 children’s bodies are still buried under the rubble in Gaza.
Question: What expectations does Palestine have from the United Nations and other international organizations?
Answer: At this time, the most crucial aspect is that we are not only talking about the United Nations but also all international organizations involved in humanitarian assistance, monitoring, and matters related to international law. We expect the United Nations to continue issuing comprehensive and verified reports that document the ongoing humanitarian and extremely serious situation in Palestine.
Question: Do you believe that the recent crisis in West Asia has pushed the Palestinian issue down the international agenda?
Answer: Absolutely. Due to the war initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, our issue has lost priority. Until about three months before the war, the Palestinian struggle and the Gaza issue were the most discussed topics worldwide. Today, the main issue has shifted to the U.S.-Israel-Iran situation, which is capturing global attention.
Question: How do you view the relationship between India and Palestine?
Answer: We are confident that India firmly supports the two-state solution. India has always stood by the Palestinian people. In the United Nations, India has voted in favor of resolutions related to Palestine. On the ground, India is significantly contributing to the peace process and has initiated several development projects in Palestine. Importantly, we are very close to starting a new project. India is set to launch a hospital construction project in Palestine, particularly in the West Bank.
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