Former Commonwealth and British boxing champion Peter Oboh has urged U.S. President Joe Biden to intervene for peace in Gaza, highlighting the significant loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the ongoing conflict. Oboh’s plea coincided with the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Gaza war, which escalated following a surprise attack by the Gaza-based group Hamas on October 7, 2023.
The attack resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, predominantly Israeli civilians, and many hostages were taken. In the ensuing conflict, over 42,000 people, mainly civilians, have died, including women and children, leaving much of Gaza in ruins. Palestinians have accused Israel of committing genocide. The conflict has also spilled over into Lebanon, with clashes involving Hezbollah, raising concerns of a broader regional war.
Reacting to the ongoing tensions, Oboh expressed deep concern for the innocent lives lost. He stated, “Today, October 7, marks one year since the Israeli-Palestinian war expanded to Lebanon and Iran. The world cannot rejoice in this. Thousands of innocent people, including children, have died. It’s a sad situation for everyone except perhaps a select few, like Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Oboh emphasized the importance of U.S. involvement in seeking peace, suggesting that if President Biden advocates for a ceasefire with concrete actions, Netanyahu might be compelled to listen. He likened the situation to a Nigerian saying: “‘Father is father,’ meaning that even the most stubborn individuals have someone they will heed.”
Oboh’s appeal highlights the urgent need for international intervention to halt the violence and facilitate a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the region