In a demonstration of unwavering support during the ongoing crisis in Gaza, Zimbabwe has donated $35,000 to the Palestinian Embassy in the Southern African country, aiming to bolster their operations within the country.
During the handover ceremony at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Zimbabwe's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Frederick Shava, emphasized the government's solidarity with Palestine.
"Zimbabwe and Palestine share a long and rich history of friendship and solidarity dating back to the days of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle," Shava said. "It is this kind of camaraderie that has continued to subsist to this day. Zimbabwe has benefitted from technical assistance from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine International Cooperation Agency through provision of agricultural expertise, the training programmes, water security and health services, among others."
Dr. Tamer Almassri, Ambassador of Palestine to Zimbabwe, expressed deep appreciation for Zimbabwe's support, emphasizing the depth of the relationship beyond mere political affiliation.
Almassri drew parallels between the respective challenges faced by Palestine and Zimbabwe, emphasizing the shared struggle against illegal sanctions and the disregard for international law, symbolizing the interconnectedness of their experiences.
"We consider ourselves as comrades as we consider Zimbabwe as our second home," the Palestinian diplomat said. "We connect the struggle of the Israeli occupation with the struggle of Zimbabwe against the illegal sanctions. Israel does not respect international law and this is similar to what Zimbabwe is facing against the illegal sanctions."
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict entered a new phase of escalation after the Palestinian movement Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing over a thousand people and taking hostages. The Jewish State launched a large-scale retaliatory operation in the Gaza Strip.
Since then, as data from the Gazan health ministry indicates that over 21,300 Palestinian lives have been lost, predominantly civilians, including over 11,000 children, nearly 6000 women, approximately 500 health workers, and 101 journalists, underscoring the severe toll of the conflict. Additionally, over 56,000 Palestinians have sustained injuries, with thousands in critical condition.
On Friday, according to reports, some 20 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike on a residential building in Rafah, despite ongoing international appeals for an immediate end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.