The Embassy of Ghana in Israel has refuted claims that certain Ghanaians have become ensnared in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
These assertions were made in response to reports of Ghanaians being caught in the crossfire of the conflict. The Embassy in a statement issued on Wednesday stated that “The attention of the Embassy has been drawn to a viral video of Ghanaians purportedly trapped in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.”
“The Embassy wishes to state categorically that the incident did not occur in Gaza nor in Israel.”
It therefore advised the public to disregard the circulating video clip and remain assured that the Ghanaian community in Israel is safe at this moment.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has similarly urged the public to disregard the viral video, calling it a “misleading video.”
Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana (GoG) has condemned attacks on Israel by Hamas militants.
This follows ongoing events in Israel where Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip infiltrated into southern Israel to attack innocent Israeli civilians amid a barrage of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement said “Ghana unequivocally condemns the attacks and calls on the Hamas leadership to immediately cease the attacks and withdraw its militants from southern Israel.”
“While Ghana affirms its support for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, it calls on the Israeli government to exercise restraint in its response to Hamas attacks.”
It took the opportunity to call on both sides of the Israel-Palestinian conflict to return to the negotiation table.
On the first day of the war, according to various media sources, it was reported that there were 200 casualties in Gaza.
Simultaneously, in Israel, 40 fatalities have been recorded following an unexpected assault involving the firing of approximately 5,000 rockets by the militant group Hamas. In response to this severe attack, Israel has officially declared war against Hamas, expressing their determination to seek retribution, and has initiated a series of airstrikes.
“Citizens of Israel, we are at war—not in an operation or in rounds, but at war,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address to the nation. “This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. We have been in this since the early morning hours.”
Militants from the blockaded Palestinian territory infiltrated Israel with paragliders, as well as boats and motor vehicles, in a brazen Saturday attack, according to multiple reports.
“Over the past half an hour, barrages of rockets have been launched by the Hamas terrorist organization from Gaza into Israel,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement early Saturday morning. “We urge the public in southern and central Israel to stay near protected areas and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command.”
