Dr Varsen O. V. Aghabekian, Palestinian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, has called on global leaders to ensure an absolute Israeli ceasefire in Palestine.
She said that since the ceasefire agreement was signed, about 400 Palestinians had been killed, with twice that number injured.
“The attacks are ongoing, and the situation remains volatile. What we are asking for is a complete ceasefire where there are no more attacks,” Dr Aghabekian told Ghanaian journalists at the Embassy of the State of Palestine during her first visit to Accra.
She said Israel continued to restrict humanitarian assistance to Palestine, adding that illegal Israeli settlers persistently terrorised Palestinians on the West Bank.
“Today we see trees uprooted, homes demolished, people attacked, orchards set on fire and various forms of violations of human rights continue. In East Jerusalem, there is encroachment, ensuring that there is no access to West Bankers and Gazans to East Jerusalem,” she said.
On reports that mortal remains handed over by Hamas to Israel were not the exact hostages Dr Aghabekian said almost all Israeli captives had been handed over, noting that the scale of destruction in Gaza had made identification and retrieval of some remains extremely difficult.
He said Israel continued to detain 11,000 Palestinians, most of whom she described as political prisoners held without trial under what Israel termed administrative detention.
“Our end goal is peace and security with our neighbours including Israel. Israel is a state that has been recognised by Palestine, and Israel needs to respect the rights and the sovereignty of its neighbours including that of the state of Palestine,” she added.
Dr Aghabekian said the New York Declaration clearly outlined the steps required for Palestine to attain full sovereignty and independence and urged all countries that endorsed it to act swiftly.
She said her visit aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and advance political consultations, with several memoranda of understanding to be signed in areas of mutual interest.
As part of her visit, Dr Aghabekian laid a wreath at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in honour of Ghana’s first President, acknowledging Ghana’s long‑standing support for Palestine.
She also commended President John Dramani Mahama, Mr. Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa and Mr Kwesi Pratt Jr. for their support against what she described as two years of Israeli aggression.
Mr. Pratt Jr., who attended the press conference, received a citation and medal of appreciation from President Mahmoud Abbas for his advocacy on behalf of the Palestinian people.
“I did not engage in Palestinian solidarity campaigns for any reward. I did so out of commitment because that is the right thing for all human beings to do. However, the show of appreciation is deep, and I accept this honor on behalf of all Ghanaian journalists and all members of the solidarity campaign,” he said.
Source: GNA
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