The Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has assured that Nigerians and other foreign nationals residing in Israel are safe amidst the ongoing conflict. In a press briefing held in Abuja, Freeman addressed the media about the current situation in Israel. He emphasized that the Israeli Defense Forces are targeting Hamas terrorists, not Muslims.
“Hamas is a merciless terrorist group that has set its sights on the mass murder of Israelis and the destruction of the State of Israel,” Freeman stated.
He recounted a horrific incident where nearly a thousand Israelis were killed in a single day, marking it as the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. He pointed out that the victims were not only Israelis but also included Arabs, Israeli-Arabs, and individuals from various other countries.
Freeman clarified that Israel’s ongoing conflict is not with Palestinians, Muslims, or Arabs in general. Instead, it is specifically targeted at Hamas. He emphasized that this war is against Hamas and not against Palestinians, Muslims, or Arabs.
The ambassador reassured that foreign nationals residing in Israel, including Nigerians, are safe. He affirmed that the Israeli government and its military forces are committed to ensuring their safety.
“Everyone is safe in Israel. Nigerians are safe. We will do everything we can to avoid civilian casualties. But the civilians will get killed; we should be prepared for that,” Freeman said.
Freeman reiterated Israel’s strategy to prevent future attacks: “There is no justification for Hamas to attack. They have no right to involve innocent children and women. Their main headquarters is located beneath a hospital in Gaza. Our primary focus is on ensuring everyone’s safety, and our approach to achieving this is by eliminating Hamas,” he concluded.