Tunisia commemorated the 41st anniversary of the Israeli raid on Hamas Chott, which occurred on October 1, 1985. The raid targeted the headquarters of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Hammam Chott, a suburb south of Tunis, resulting in one of the most severe incidents in the history of relations between Tunisia and Israel. The commemoration was attended by local authorities, representatives of the Palestinian embassy and Fatah, students, workers, and members of the Palestinian community.
The Israeli raid on October 1, 1985, killed 68 people, including 50 Palestinians and 18 Tunisians, and injured nearly 100 people. The PLO had relocated to Tunisia after being evacuated from Beirut in 1982. The attack was widely condemned, and four days later, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 573, which condemned the Israeli attack as a violation of the UN Charter and international law.
The commemoration was marked by a ceremony where Palestinian Ambassador to Tunisia Rami Qaddoumi laid wreaths on the graves of Palestinians and Tunisians killed in the attack. The event was a significant demonstration of the historical ties between Tunisia and the Palestinian national movement. Qaddoumi emphasized that the commemoration reaffirmed the relations between the two peoples and Tunisia's support for the Palestinian cause.
The Israeli raid on Hamas Chott was not an isolated incident, as Israel continued to target PLO members in Tunisia. On April 16, 1988, Israeli commandos assassinated Khalil al-Wazir, also known as Abu Jihad, the second-in-command of the PLO, at his home in Sidi Bou Said. This event further strained relations between Tunisia and Israel.
The UN Security Council's Resolution 573 recognized Tunisia's right to "appropriate reparations" for the human losses and material damages suffered during the attack. The resolution was adopted with 14 votes in favor and one abstention. The incident remains a significant point of contention between Tunisia and Israel.
The commemoration of the 41st anniversary of the Israeli raid on Hamas Chott serves as a reminder of the historical ties between Tunisia and Palestine. The event was attended by various stakeholders, including local authorities, Palestinian representatives, and members of the Palestinian community in Tunisia.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be a sensitive issue in the region, with many countries, including Tunisia, maintaining strong ties with the Palestinian people. The commemoration of the Hamas Chott raid is a testament to the enduring solidarity between Tunisia and Palestine.
Key points
- 68 people were killed in the Israeli raid on Hamas Chott on October 1, 1985.
- The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 573, condemning the Israeli attack and recognizing Tunisia's right to reparations.
- The commemoration of the 41st anniversary of the raid serves as a reminder of the historical ties between Tunisia and Palestine.
