AS the Gaza-Israel conflict continues with severe civilian casualties and devastation, President Bola Tinubu has joined international leaders to call for an end to Israel aggression in Gaza.
Addressing an emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, on Monday, November 11, Tinubu condemned the ongoing violence and urged immediate action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
While emphasising the need to prioritise civilian lives, he reiterated Nigeria’s support for a two-state solution, stressing that peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians is the only viable path forward.
The conflict has seen extensive airstrikes in Gaza, destroying infrastructure, homes, hospitals, and public facilities. Thousands of civilians have been killed or injured, while hospitals and humanitarian centers report severe shortages of essential supplies like water, electricity, and medical aid.
Recently, the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Lebanon has intensified, with Israeli airstrikes killing dozens in recent days. On Sunday, November 10, an Israeli strike in Lebanon’s Aalmat village—located far north of Hezbollah’s stronghold, resulted in at least 23 fatalities.
This airstrike, part of Israel’s extensive offensive across Lebanon, has expanded further into northern regions previously unscathed by heavy conflict. The escalation follows months of tit-for-tat violence between Israel and Hezbollah, spurred by Hezbollah’s show of solidarity with Gaza, including missile and drone strikes targeting Israel.
Since then, Israel has intensified its strikes further into Lebanese territory, while Hezbollah has extended its rocket attacks from northern into central Israel. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 3,000 people in Lebanon, according to the Health Ministry, and more than 70 fatalities in Israel.
“The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering,” Tinubu said at the summit, which was convened by leaders from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States.
In his address, he decried the impact on Gaza’s civilians, many of whom are struggling to survive under blockades that have hindered the delivery of aid.
“As representatives of nations that value justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life, we have a moral obligation to collectively bring about an immediate end to this conflict. ‘It is not enough to issue empty condemnations. The world must work towards an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has persisted for far too long.
“No political aim, no military strategy, and no security concern should come at the expense of so many innocent lives,” Tinubu said.
President Tinubu emphasised the need to prioritise civilian lives, urging all parties involved to respect the principles of proportionality and the protection of non-combatants in accordance with international humanitarian law.
He stated that while nations have the right to defence, such measures must be proportionate and considerate of the impact on innocent lives.
”In a rules-based international order, States have the right of self-defence. But self defence must take proportionality into account, in line with global legal, diplomatic – and moral – frameworks.
”An entire civilian population, their dreams and futures, cannot be dismissed as collateral,” he said.
Tinubu further reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to a two-state solution, calling it a practical approach that offers hope for long-term peace in the region.
He described the two-state vision as a diplomatic goal and a humanitarian imperative rooted in the principles of justice, equality, and mutual recognition of rights.
‘It is not just a diplomatic article of faith; it is a vision grounded in the principles of equality and mutual recognition. ‘Achieving this vision requires a commitment to dialogue and respect for history. We all know this conflict did not begin on October 7 in 2023. It can only be resolved through principled compromise, based on appreciation of the proper context.
”This conflict, in the cradle of history, is so visceral that the ripples of division spread far and quickly. The corrosive impact of the images of endless violence, repeated on a billion smart phones around the world is huge. We need to find new pathways to peace, without delay,” he said.
On August 16, the health ministry in Gaza said that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its war on Hamas following the group’s October 7 attack.
According to the ministry, the number implies that one in every 55 residents of the enclave has died during the attack, while over 92,401 people have been injured.
The health ministry’s figures did not differentiate between combatants and civilians, but it noted that most of those killed were women and children.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M