President Yoweri Museveni Condemns Israel-Palestine Violence
President Yoweri Museveni has expressed condemnation for the recent resurgence of violence between Israel and Palestine. He called upon both parties to work towards the implementation of a two-state solution. The conflict has led to significant casualties, including civilians and non-combatants, prompting global concern.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the situation as a state of war and vowed that Israel would prevail. The violence erupted in several towns and military bases in the region, with reports of rocket attacks on populated areas.
According to Israel’s ambassador to Uganda, Michael Lotem, the attack began on a day of rest and celebration when many people were off duty. Over 5,000 rockets and missiles were launched, targeting not only Gaza but also cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Lotem emphasized that the attacks did not discriminate between Israelis and other visitors, including pilgrims.
Hamas initiated ground attacks, resulting in ongoing battles and the taking of hostages in Israeli settlement areas. Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) launched an aerial military operation to combat the threat posed by Hamas. Ambassador Lotem stressed the challenges of dealing with a situation where Hamas operated from civilian areas, making it difficult for Israeli forces to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.
In discussing the potential response to the attack, Lotem urged countries that had already condemned Hamas to join Israel in its efforts. The IDF launched airstrikes against Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip in response to the attacks.
Regarding the two-state solution, Lotem emphasized the distinction between Gaza, which is under Hamas rule, and the West Bank, which is not responsible for the attacks. He argued that even if territories were returned to the Palestinians and they had self-rule, there was no guarantee of peace, as evidenced by Hamas’ actions.
Lotem also highlighted the presence of African pilgrims in Israel and efforts to coordinate with their respective governments to ensure their safety.
In terms of global politics, Lotem noted the delicate situation with the Gulf states, which recently signed the Abraham Accords with Israel. He suggested that Hamas may perceive improved relations between Israel and Arab countries as a threat and may be influenced by external actors like Iran to disrupt peace efforts.
In a significant development, Israel officially declared war against Hamas in response to multiple attacks that resulted in casualties among its soldiers and civilians. This declaration marked the first formal declaration of war by Israel since 1973, further escalating tensions in the region.
