• Iran cancels flights as Israel pounds Lebanon
• FG: Only 500 Nigerians registered for evacuation
Today marks a year since the Hamas attack on Israel, which has sparked torrents of retaliation from either side. What started as an attack on Israelis who were at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering in which around 1,200 Israelis were killed in Gaza by Hamas, has now escalated to Lebanon with Israel determined to eliminate Hamas and Hezbollah.
Within one year, nearly 42,000 Palestinians in Gaza have died and 96,844 injured while scores of Israeli hostages are still being held by Hamas. So far, over 2,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, including 127 children and 261 women.
As of September 1, 2024, 101 hostages remained in captivity in the Gaza Strip, 97 of whom had been abducted on October 7 2023, and the other four hostages captured earlier. 70 of these hostages are feared to be dead. 117 hostages had been returned to Israel, as of August 28, 2024, with 105 being released in a prisoner exchange deal, four released by Hamas unilaterally and eight rescued by the IDF.
As the Israelis remember the one year attack today, which has been the deadliest so far, in Jerusalem, the Hostages Families Forum would have a rally at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence. Various communities in Israel, especially the worst-affected will mark the day privately.
In Iran, airports announced that they would cancel all flights from 9pm until 6am, a potential indication that Tehran expects Israeli jets could strike in a raid that could be targeted against Iranian military, oil, or even nuclear production.
In London, thousands of people gathered at Hyde Park for an event commemorating the 7 October attacks Hamas launched on southern Israel from Gaza last year.
For Harold Rosenberg, from North Finchley, in London, the world has forgotten the horrors of what Hamas did. Meanwhile Israel has issued fresh evacuation orders in southern Lebanon. Its strikes on Saturday night in Beirut has been described so far as being the “worst” night of attacks.
This is as the Federal Government has said only 500 Nigerians have so far registered to be evacuated from Lebanon following the war between Hezbollah and Israel. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe.
“Currently, about 500 Nigerians have registered with the Mission. However, there are more than 2000 Nigerian citizens residing in the country. Even though most of them have not indicated a willingness to return home in spite of the persuasion by our Embassy, we will continue to do everything to ensure the safety of our citizens,” he said. He appealed to those who have not registered with the Embassy to do so through Email: [email protected].
While reiterating that the safety and well-being of all citizens remained the priority of the government, he said the government had activated emergency protocols to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of its citizens back home as soon as possible following the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon.
Amb. Abu-Obe said that no life had been lost which he attributed to the “commendable efforts made by the Embassy, working in concert with the leadership of the Nigerian community to evacuate fellow Nigerians from southern Lebanon the epicentre of the conflict to Beirut.” He disclosed that the government was making arrangements to send a C-130 Aircraft or any other available flight for the evacuation exercise.
“The Nigerian government urges all citizens living In Lebanon not to resist evacuation because the ongoing conflict may escalate and appeals for cooperation with the evacuation process and follow safety guidelines.
“Nigeria appreciates the understanding of the international community and will continue to monitor the situation.” the statement said.
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have intensified in the past weeks, targeting Hezbollah positions in Beirut and southern Lebanon.
The conflict has resulted in over 600 deaths, including Hezbollah’s long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and displaced hundreds of thousands.
