Israel calls for African support in Middle East peace efforts

The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, at a press conference in Accra on Friday urged African nations to support efforts to end hostilities in Gaza and help disarm Hamas, saying African voices could strengthen international calls for stability.

Gilad argued that a peaceful Gaza was crucial for regional stability and global security. “We believe there is no safe future for Gaza or for Israel if Hamas is still in the picture,” he said.

He explained that Hamas was still holding 48 hostages and using civilians as shields, which had complicated Israeli military operations. “We are evacuating one million people to safe areas because we care about life both Israeli and Palestinian,” he said.

Gilad said African nations, including Ghana, had a growing diplomatic role to play in shaping global opinion and decisions at the UN. “Africa has a voice, and we hope that voice will call for Hamas to disarm and for hostages to be released,” he stated.

He urged African states to help challenge what he called “the wrong assumption” that Israel’s operations amounted to genocide.