31

May

Israeli Offensive Intensifies Despite Global Outcry

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Anwarul Haq Baig

New Delhi, 31 May 2024

Despite global outcry and growing demands from world leaders to halt the attacks as also International Court of Justice(ICJ) decree to halt its assault on Rafah, Israeli forces continued to massacre civilians living in tent houses in this Southern city of Gaza Strip.

Compounding the humanitarian crisis, Israel carried out fresh strikes in Rafah after the UN Security Council met to discuss a deadly attack that sparked global outcry.

According to Palestinian security officials, Israeli tanks had entered deep into heart of the city, where thousands of displaced Palestinian families took shelter, from elsewhere  of Gaza Strip.

According to eyewitnesses and medicos, Rafah, what was once a bustling city has now become a nightmare of death and displacement as the Israeli military’s brutal offensive enters its fourth week, Rafah lies in ruins – its streets cratered by airstrikes, homes pulverized, and hospitals forced to shut down amid repeated bombings.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Rafah took more horrific turn Sunday as Israeli forces showed no regard for civilian life, bombing areas housing displaced Palestinians who had fled there seeking refuge. On Sunday, an Israeli strike on a tent camp sheltering displaced families killed at least 45 civilians, including 9 children and 12 women, provoking global outrage.

Series of brutal attacks continue on tents of displaced people, designated ‘safe zones’ in Rafah

Article at a Glance

 

Israeli forces have continued to attack civilians in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, despite global outcry and demands from world leaders to halt the assault. The attacks have resulted in mass casualties and displacement, with thousands of families taking shelter in the city after being displaced from elsewhere in Gaza.

Hospitals and clinics in Rafah have been forced to shut down due to repeated Israeli strikes, leaving over 1.5 million Palestinians without access to essential medical treatment. The Gaza Ministry of Health has reported that at least 36,096 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7th, with 71% of them being women, babies, and children.

The UN Security Council has convened an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis, with Algeria pushing for a ceasefire resolution and France urging the council to take concrete action. Meanwhile, Mexico has requested to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The ICJ has ordered Israel to halt its military offensive in Rafah and maintain open the Rafah crossing for urgently needed humanitarian aid. Despite the ICJ ruling, Israeli forces have continued their attacks, with the White House affirming Israel's right to target Hamas militants.

Just two days later, in a seemingly undeterred act of cruelty, new Israeli warplanes struck another tent encampment in  Mawasi in western Rafah, killing  at least 21 people including  13 and wounding 64 others, according to Palestinian medical officials.  The targeted tent area in the Mawasi district had previously been designated a “safe zone” for civilians by the Israeli army itself. Medics and residents confirmed the strikes hit tents sheltering families displaced from bombardment elsewhere in Gaza. Sickeningly, the tent camp was located just 100 meters away from a U.S. field hospital.

On Tuesday alone in another brutal attacks on a tent of displaced families near Rafah’s Tel al-Sultan area, at least 16 more civilians were killed, in a series of intensive Israeli strikes pounding western and central Rafah, as Palestinian officials informed. The onslaught forced thousands more to flee western areas of the city as Israeli tanks and infantry pushed their incursion deeper into the city. It was just the latest in a series of strikes on civilian shelters and tent camps that have drawn global condemnation as potential war crimes.

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor reported Israeli warplanes bombed displaced families’ tents in the Tel Al-Sultan area northwest of Rafah. “The victims were families who were forcibly displaced from the northern Gaza,” the monitoring group said.

The Tel Al-Sultan neighborhood has become a tragic epicenter of civilian suffering. Thousands had sought shelter there after Israel launched a ground offensive into eastern Rafah over two weeks ago. Now, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from across Gaza have converged on Rafah seeking safety, only to be met with more deadly bombardment.

With its expansion, Israeli forces are now close to fully controlling the Philadelphi Corridor, a 14-kilometer demilitarized buffer zone running along the Gaza-Egypt border as per the 1978 Camp David Accords. The Israeli army has seized nearly two-thirds of the corridor area through its heavy bombardment and shelling of Rafah.

Israel’s excessive military actions seem aimed not at rooting out Hamas fighters, as it claims, but at depopulating and crushing all resistance in the densely-populated Palestinian enclave. As the healthcare system in Rafah collapses, over 1.5 million Palestinians are now being denied essential and often life-saving medical treatment. Overwhelmed medics have sounded desperate alarms about the catastrophic humanitarian crisis rapidly unfolding.

Overall Gaza Death Toll Mounts

The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has plunged to horrible depths, as Israel’s relentless 236-day military assault shows no signs of letting up. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 36,096 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7th – a staggering 71% of them women, babies and children. An additional 81,136 have been wounded in the onslaught.

On Tuesday alone, the ministry said Israeli forces committed five new massacres against families in the besieged enclave over just 24 hours, killing 47 more civilians and injuring 110 others. Overall, the Israeli army has carried out over 3,200 massacres in Gaza during its nearly 8-month offensive, the ministry reported. A heartbreaking 15,328 of the dead are children, while another 10,171 were women.  An estimated 10,000 people are feared buried beneath the rubble of bombed homes. Medical and rescue efforts have grown increasingly futile amid the Israeli onslaught. The World Health Organization said Tuesday that desperately needed medical evacuations from Gaza ground to a complete halt three weeks ago when Israel’s forces launched their offensive on Rafah.

“There’s been an abrupt halt to all medical evacuations” since the Rafah assault began in early May, warned WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris, adding that the cut-off means even more lives will be tragically lost.

Medical System almost destroyed as Israeli Forces Target Hospitals in Rafah

 The relentless Israeli offensive has systematically destroyed what little remained of Gaza’s vital infrastructure, turning Rafah into a humanitarian nightmare. Multiple hospitals and clinics in the city have been forced to shut down after coming under repeated Israeli strikes.

In a statement, the Gaza Ministry of Health has announced that four hospitals and two health clinics in southern Rafah have now been knocked out of service due to the ongoing Israeli military aggression on the city.

The Indonesian Field Hospital and the Tal Al-Sultan clinic in Rafah were the latest medical facilities forced to shut down as a result of the Israeli army’s deliberate targeting of health infrastructure, the ministry confirmed.

Also now out of operation are the Abu Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital, the Abu Al-Walid Central Clinic, two Rafah Field Hospitals, and the Kuwait Specialist Hospital – all casualties of what the ministry termed Israel’s “continuous genocide war” on the besieged Gaza Strip.

“This comes with the continuation and expansion of the barbaric Israeli incursion in Rafah Governorate and its deliberate targeting of hospitals and primary healthcare centers, causing severe damage,” the ministry emphasized.

The shutdown of the Kuwait Specialty Hospital in Rafah dealt a particularly devastating blow. However, repeated Israeli strikes, including the deadly bombardment of the hospital’s main gate which killed two medics, ultimately forced its director Dr. Suhaib Al-Hams to make the agonizing decision to abandon the facility on Monday.

With the closures, the Gaza Health Ministry stated that only one hospital in the decimated southern region of Rafah remains operational.

One of the few remaining medical facilities serving the besieged city has been forced to relocate in a desperate bid for survival. The Al-Quds Field Hospital, run by the Palestine Red Crescent Society, was compelled to abandon its position in Rafah’s al-Mawasi area due to the intensity of nearby Israeli artillery shelling and airstrikes.The field hospital has now been forced to move north to the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, according to the Red Crescent, as Israeli forces show no regard for the laws of war by repeatedly striking civilian shelters and medical facilities in Rafah. As one of the few remaining facilities able to offer medical care in the war-torn southern Gaza city with a population over 1.5 million, it was providing a lifeline to the trapped civilian population.

One Million Palestinians fled Rafah in 3 weeks: UNRWA

About one million Palestinians have fled Rafah in just three weeks, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA reports. “With nowhere safe to go and incessant bombardment, lack of food and water, providing aid has become “nearly impossible,” the UNRWA added. 

“We’re witnessing a human tragedy of monumental proportions unfold before our eyes in Rafah,” said Chris Gunness, a spokesman for UNRWA. “Innocent civilians – women, children, the elderly – are being massacred and driven from areas declared as ‘safe zones’ by the Israeli army itself.”

The UN agency warned that providing aid and protection to people became “nearly impossible,” and reiterated its call for an immediate cease-fire.

Israeli Forces unleash unmanned ground vehicles to seize control of Rafah

Disturbing reports emerged Tuesday and early Wednesday of Israel potentially deploying unmanned ground vehicles as it intensified its incursion into the heart of Rafah city in southern Gaza. War monitors said intense gunfire echoed through Rafah’s streets as Israeli forces pushed deeper into the city centre, forcing more civilians to flee.

Palestinian fighters mounted fierce resistance, launching attacks in Rafah’s south and central areas, including detonating an explosive-rigged building while Israeli soldiers were inside, according to the Institute for the Study of War and Critical Threats Project.

In a major escalation, Israel sent an additional combat brigade into Rafah on Tuesday, bringing the total forces involved in the invasion of the city to five brigades. That amounts to between 10,000-25,000 Israeli troops dedicated solely to conquering Rafah.

Separately, the think tanks reported three Israeli brigades were operating in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, and two more brigades in the central Gaza Strip as the bombardment intensified territory-wide.

Algeria Pushes for UN ceasefire resolution as France urges Security Council action

The UN Security Council has convened an emergency meeting after an Israeli “precision strike” killed dozens at a displaced persons camp in Rafah. The closed-door session was requested by Algeria, a non-permanent council member.

Algeria has circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and halting Israel’s military invasion of Rafah. The proposal calls for respecting the truce by all parties, releasing hostages, reopening border crossings, and allowing humanitarian aid access to Gaza’s 2.4 million residents. Describing the situation as a “threat to regional and international peace,” the draft orders Israel to “immediately halt its military offensive and any other action in Rafah.” It condemns the “indiscriminate targeting of civilians” and demands compliance with international law on civilian protection.

Meanwhile, France’s UN envoy Nicolas de Riviere urged the Security Council to move beyond talk and take concrete action, including adopting a new resolution. Recalling French denunciation of the deadly Rafah camp airstrike, de Riviere emphasized the need for an immediate Gaza ceasefire, hostage release, and adhering to the International Court of Justice’s ruling against Israel’s Rafah offensive. “The Security Council cannot just talk, it needs to act,” de Riviere stated, underlining France’s commitment to an independent Palestinian state. He stressed the council must fulfill its duty to resolve the escalating crisis.

Mexico Seeks to Join South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel at ICJ

Mexico has formally requested to intervene in the case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Invoking Article 63 of the court’s statute, Mexico argues that “genocidal intent” includes mass killings and destruction of culture amounting to “cultural cleansing” aimed at eradicating the targeted group. The move allows Mexico, as a state party to the Genocide Convention, to participate in the proceedings.

ICJ orders Israel to stop its offensive in Rafah, demands unimpeded aid access

In a landmark 13-2 ruling, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah and any action that could physically destroy Palestinians there. The president of the top UN court, Judge Nawaf Salam also mandated Israel maintain open the Rafah crossing for urgently needed humanitarian aid, delivered unhindered and at scale. The binding order came in an emergency ruling on South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide, a week after the ICC prosecutor sought arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. Indian judge Dalveer Bhandari backed the decision by the world court’s 15-member panel.

World voices outrage over Israel’s deadly Rafah strike, demand compliance with ICJ ruling

Israel’s deadly airstrikes on a camp housing displaced Palestinians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah have sparked global outrage, with countries, leaders and international bodies decrying the attacks and calling Israel to respect the International Court of Justice’s order to halt its Gaza offensive.

The United Nations strongly condemned the strikes, which killed dozens of civilians including many women and children, as “deplorable” and potentially amounting to war crimes. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored that rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which had ordered Israel to halt its Rafah offensive, are legally binding.

The UN relief Martin Griffiths chief write on his X, “Another grim update from Gaza. Israel’s airstrike on Rafah Monday night reportedly killed scores of people, many of them women and children burned alive.”  Griffiths called for immediate action to protect civilians and ensure their safety, saying: “Such impunity cannot continue.

The president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Kate Forbes, made an urgent plea for a ceasefire in Gaza to enable delivery of aid to millions facing worsening hunger. “We desperately need a political solution that will allow us to have a ceasefire to get aid in,” Forbes said in an interview in Manila. She stressed humanitarian access requires a ceasefire, stating “We’re ready to make a difference. We have to have access, and to have access there has to have a ceasefire.”

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini described scenes from the Israeli army’s deadly strike on Rafah as “harrowing” and turning the city into “hell on earth.” He reported children and women among those killed or burned to death in the airstrike on the heavily populated area. With some UNRWA staff unaccounted for, Lazzarini said delivering humanitarian aid is becoming “nearly impossible” and demanded an immediate end to the military operation and improved assistance flow into Gaza.

Major U.S. allies like France, Germany, Italy and the UK voiced horror at the civilian toll and insisted Israel respect the ICJ ruling and international law.

The European Union is contemplating sanctions against Israel if it fails to comply with a recent ICJ ruling.  Ireland’s Foreign Minister, Michael Martin, confirmed this development during a European Political Community meeting on Monday. This marks the first instance of EU foreign ministers discussing potential sanctions against Israel for non-compliance with an ICJ order. “Certainly, if compliance isn’t forthcoming, then we have to consider all options,” Martin stated, noting Ireland’s support for this approach. Additionally, Martin mentioned that some foreign ministers suggested sanctions against Israeli officials involved in supporting violent settlers in the West Bank.

The White House called visuals from Rafah “heartbreaking” but affirmed Israel’s right to target Hamas militants.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen writes on her X, “Devastated by news from Rafah on Israeli strikes killing dozens of civilians, including small children.” She further says “Finland has consistently urged Israel to refrain from attacking Rafah, especially considering the high numbers of displaced people there. The orders of the ICJ and international humanitarian law must be respected by all parties.”

French President Emmanuel Macron demanded “an immediate ceasefire”, saying “operations must stop in Rafah” where “there are no safe areas for Palestinian civilians.”

Germany’s Annalena Baerbock echoed “international humanitarian law applies for all, also for Israel while British Foreign Secretary David Cameron called for a transparent Israeli investigation.

Irish leaders described the camp bombing as “barbaric” and “unimaginable”, with the Prime Minister not ruling out sanctions discussions.

Norway’s FM stressed ignoring the “binding” ICJ measures created an impression of norms not applying universally.

EU’s official Josep Borrell questioned if the bloc would back “international rule of law or support to Israel.”

China urged effective implementation of the ICJ halt on Israeli operations.

South Africa, which filed the genocide case against Israel, welcomed the “groundbreaking” ruling calling for “a de facto ceasefire.”

Venezuelan President Maduro condemned the “genocidal silence” of the US and Europe.

Australia, Japan, Canada, Malaysia and others joined calls for a ceasefire, investigations and allowing humanitarian access.

Muslim-majority nations like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait , Qatar and OIC also forcefully condemned the killings of Palestinian civilians as brutal acts of state terrorism that flout international law.

Hamas official Basim Naim said while welcoming the ruling, “the occupation aggression across Gaza is just as brutal and dangerous.” The Palestinian Authority hailed an “international consensus” against Israel’s offensive.

Turkish President Recep Erdogan likened Israel’s actions to “genocide”, accusing Netanyahu of imitating Hitler.

Rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accused Israel of war crimes and disproportionate force, saying it showed criminal disregard for civilian lives.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization also deplored the attacks, which have decimated Gaza’s health infrastructure amid an escalating humanitarian calamity.

Despite the global outcry, Israel remained defiant. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hardline government rebuffed the ICJ ruling and vowed to continue its offensive to secure the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants. Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich defiantly stated “We will not agree” to ceasing the war, which would “decree Israel to cease to exist.” Opposition leader Lapid called it a “moral disaster” to compare Israeli and Hamas leaders.

As condemnations poured in, a U.S. congresswoman went so far as to accuse Israel of intentionally carrying out “genocide” against Palestinians, calling Netanyahu a “genocidal maniac.”

Israel’s indiscriminate killing of civilians, wanton destruction of residential areas, and targeting of humanitarian facilities are flagrant violations of international laws of warfare. But despite global condemnation, Israeli forces remain adamant and unwavering in their brutal aggression against the 1.5 million Palestinians trapped in Rafah and across Gaza under suffocating siege. Israel’s actions potentially constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, rights groups warn. As the world watches in horror, the people of Rafah steel themselves for more suffering in the days ahead. With safe areas obliterated, families cower in UN schools and makeshift shelters, exposed to the firepower of Israeli military.  

European nations recognize Palestinian statehood amid mounting civilian toll

In a related development and in a historic move amid Israel’s relentless assaults on Gaza that have caused mass displacement, Spain, Ireland and Norway has officially recognized the State of Palestine. The symbolic declaration aims to accelerate efforts for a ceasefire and promote a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict.

With hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fleeing violence in northern and southern Gaza, the three European nations joined 144 other UN member states in recognizing Palestinian statehood. The global south, Turkey, Russia, China and India have already extended recognition.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed readiness to follow suit, calling the situation in Rafah “horrifying” and demanding an immediate halt to Israeli operations there. Denouncing the lack of safety for Palestinian civilians, Macron urged a UN-mandated ceasefire and vowed to work towards a peaceful solution with international partners.

Greece’s main opposition party SYRIZA also pushed for recognition, invoking the nation’s historical friendship with the Palestinian people. As the humanitarian crisis in the besieged strip deepens, mounting international pressure reflects growing condemnation of Israel’s disproportionate use of force against a trapped civilian population.

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