Govt Provides Update On Kenyans Stuck In War-Torn Israel

Despite the Kenyan government currently monitoring the situation, Njogu revealed that officials have opened phone lines in case of any distress calls.

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Oct 10, 2023 - 16:56
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Govt Provides Update On Kenyans Stuck In War-Torn Israel
Smoke and fire billowing during the Israel-Palestine conflict. /BROOKINGS INSTITUTION

The Kenyan government has revealed that all of its nationals in Israel, which was attacked recently by the Palestinian militant group Hamas from the Gaza Strip, are accounted for.

Roseline Njogu, the Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, revealed on Tuesday, October 10 that no Kenyan living or working in Israel has been hurt during the attack characterised by rocket battles in Gaza between Israeli forces and the Hamas militant group.

However, despite the Kenyan government currently monitoring the situation, Njogu revealed that officials have opened phone lines in case of any distress calls.

“I am glad to report that there are no casualties among our people. All our people are accounted for,” she told Nation.Africa.

Diaspora Affairs PS Roseline Njogu being sworn into office on December 2, 2022. /TWITTER.ROSELINE NJOGU

“The government of Kenya continues to monitor the situation. We are in touch with our diaspora in that space and are maintaining contact through our Embassy (in Tel Aviv) on the ground. Plans are in place to evacuate as needed.”

Kenyans in Israel are mainly students, those on religious pilgrimage or short scientific trips, according to the Israeli embassy in Nairobi.

How To Reach Out To Kenyans In Israel

Kenya’s embassy in Tel Aviv had on Monday, October 9 shared emergency contacts, advising those seeking evacuation to email responders at [email protected] or call +254114757002, +972549060910 and +972547075958.

Njogu added that evacuation plans were in place, although she noted that such responses will normally involve other government agencies.

How The Israel-Palestine War Began & Reaction

Israel was caught off guard by a massive and deadly surprise attack from Hamas on Saturday, October 7, which claimed the lives of thousands of people and resulted in many others being captured by the militant group.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that the country would respond with a powerful military campaign against Hamas, unlike anything seen before.

The attack by Hamas was the worst that Israel had faced in half a century, according to reports. It involved rockets, drones, tunnels, and suicide bombers that targeted civilians and soldiers alike.

Hamas also seized more than 100 hostages, including Israelis, foreigners, and soldiers, which led Netanyahu to declare a state of war.

President William Ruto on Sunday, October 7 issued a strong condemnation of the attack by Hamas, terming them as acts of terrorism that pose a significant threat to international peace.

“Kenya joins the rest of the world in solidarity with the State of Israel and unequivocally condemns terrorism and attacks on innocent civilians in the country. Kenya strongly maintains that there exists no justification whatsoever for terrorism, which constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security,” he asserted on X (formerly Twitter).

Ruto reiterated that all acts of terrorism and violent extremism are abhorrent, criminal, and unjustifiable, regardless of the motives behind them. 

He further called upon the international community to swiftly mobilize and hold not only the attackers but also their organizers, financiers, and supporters accountable for their actions. He also called for the immediate cessation of violence.

Meanwhile, both sides could be liable for war crimes, according to the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel.

The Commission said on Tuesday that it was “gravely concerned with Israel’s latest attack on Gaza and Israel’s announcement of a complete siege on Gaza involving the withholding of water, food, electricity and fuel which will undoubtedly cost civilian lives and constitutes collective punishment.”

The Commission said it has been collecting and preserving evidence of war crimes committed by all sides since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a complex attack on Israel and Israeli forces retaliated with airstrikes in Gaza.

The rubble of a building after it was struck by an Israeli air attack, in Gaza City. /AP

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