As the Israeli military strengthens its stance to carry out ground operations in Rafah, the southern part of the Gaza Strip, where many people have fled, 26 countries of the European Union (EU) jointly issued a statement urging the Israeli government to take action against Rafah. Concerns from the international community are growing, with calls for military operations not to be carried out in the region.
*We will update you on developments regarding Israel and Palestine as of February 20th, Japan time.
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Israel's former Defense Minister Gantz presses for release of hostages with deadline
International Court of Justice begins hearing on Israel's occupation of Palestine
table of contents
table of contents
Israel's former Defense Minister Gantz presses for release of hostages with deadline
International Court of Justice begins hearing on Israel's occupation of Palestine
Israel's former Defense Minister Gantz presses for release of hostages with deadline
The Israeli military continues to carry out heavy airstrikes and ground forces in Khan Yunis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and health authorities in the Gaza Strip said on the 19th that 107 people had been killed in Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours, the highest death toll to date. It was announced that the number of deaths had risen to 29,092.
Under these circumstances, former Defense Minister Gantz, who is in Israel's wartime cabinet, announced on the 18th that Hamas must release all hostages by Ramadan, the fasting month in which Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during the day, which begins around the 10th of next month. ``We will also carry out an attack in Rafah,'' he said, pressing Hamas to release the hostages by a deadline.
The Israeli military says four Hamas battalions remain in Rafah and is stepping up its stance to carry out ground operations.
In response, EU High Representative Borrell said at a press conference after the foreign ministers' meeting held on the 19th that 26 of the EU member states had jointly issued a new statement, and said, ``The Israeli government "We urge the United States not to carry out any military operations in Rafah, as this will further worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and prevent the delivery of urgently needed assistance."
Nearly 1.5 million people, including evacuees, live in Rafah, but there are moves to evacuate elsewhere for fear of ground operations by the Israeli military, and the international community is increasingly concerned about the casualties of residents. Masu.
International Court of Justice begins hearing on Israel's occupation of Palestine
A hearing on Israel's occupation of Palestine began at the International Court of Justice, which had been asked by the United Nations General Assembly to issue an opinion based on the principles of international law, and Foreign Minister Maliki of the Palestinian Transitional Authority said, ``We are trying to seize territory by force and seek national self-determination.'' Denying these rights violates the most fundamental norms of international law."
Israel has been occupying Palestine since the Third Middle East War in 1967, and the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution a year ago calling on the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, to issue an advisory opinion regarding the occupation. It was adopted.
The resolution seeks opinions on the violation of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination due to Israel's long-standing occupation and settlements, in light of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
At the beginning of the hearing at the International Court of Justice on the 19th, Foreign Minister Maliki of the Palestinian Authority said, ``Israel has not been held responsible for the genocide currently unfolding in the Gaza Strip for decades.'' This is the result of this."
"Israel is trying to erase Palestine from the map and destroy the Palestinian people. Taking territory by force, persecuting people, discriminating against people, and denying people's right to self-determination is a violation of international law. "It goes against basic norms," he said.
The hearing will continue until the 26th of this month, and a total of 55 countries and international organizations, including Japan, are scheduled to give their opinions, but so far there are no plans for Israel to object.