Israel-Hamas war: Security Council to hold emergency meeting – DW – 05/28/2024

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has said around a million people have fled the southern Gaza city of Rafah since Israel stepped up its offensive there in the past three weeks. 

“This happened with nowhere safe to go & amidst bombardments, lack of food & water, piles of waste & unsuitable living conditions,” the agency wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 

“Day after day, providing assistance & protection becomes nearly impossible,” it added.

Israel has pushed ahead with its offensive despite a legally binding order by the International Court of Justice to “immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah.”

The court characterized the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “disastrous” and “catastrophic.”

Spain, Ireland and Norway are set to formally recognize Palestinian statehood on Tuesday.

They will join over 140 UN member states in doing so.

Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Romania recognized a Palestinian state before joining the EU, while Sweden offered its recognition in 2014.

Slovenia has said it will decide on whether to recognize Palestinian statehood on Thursday.

On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Spain of “rewarding terror” by recognizing a Palestinian state.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned a deadly Israeli airstrike that killed dozens of people in Rafah, southern Gaza.

The strike on Sunday prompted international condemnation. Israel said the incident was being investigated.

“I condemn Israel’s actions which killed scores of innocent civilians who were only seeking shelter from this deadly conflict,” Guterres said in a post on the platform X, formerly Twitter.

“There is no safe place in Gaza. The horror must stop.”

Volker Türk, the UN’s human rights chief, also voiced his condemnation of the strike.

“The images from the camp are horrific and point to no apparent change in the methods and means of warfare used by Israel that have already led to so many civilian deaths,” Türk said.

He called on Israel to cease its military offensive in Rafah and comply with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order.

EU calls on Israel to respect UN court order on Rafah

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The United Nations Security Council is set to hold a closed door emergency meeting following a deadly Israeli airstrike that hit the southern Gaza Strip, according to diplomats.

The meeting was requested by Algeria, the Arab representative on the council, and supported by Slovenia.

The Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled enclave said 45 people were killed and dozens injured in the airstrike that hit tents housing displaced people.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the strike a “tragic mistake” and said the incident was being investigated.

sdi/fb (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)