Regarding the Israeli military's ground operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported that the government and military were making detailed plans to evacuate residents, dispelling growing concerns from the international community about the operation. It appears that specific considerations are underway.
*We will keep you updated on developments regarding Israel and Palestine as of March 29, Japan time.
The Israeli military continued its military operations in various parts of the Gaza Strip on the 28th, and announced that it had killed approximately 200 fighters at Shifa Hospital in the north since the 18th of this month.
Meanwhile, local authorities in the Gaza Strip have strongly criticized the Israeli military, saying, ``According to available information, more than 200 people who had taken refuge in Shifa Hospital have been executed and approximately 1,000 people have been detained.''
Against this backdrop, Israeli media reported on the 28th that the government and military are making detailed plans for ground operations to evacuate residents of Rafah in the south, where 1.5 million residents have taken shelter.
The report cited Khan Yunis in the south and Gaza City in the north as evacuation destinations, and military officials said they believed it would take one to two months to evacuate residents.
Concerning the ground operation to Rafah, the United States, which is supporting the operation, has expressed growing concern from the international community, with the United States, which supports Israel, saying, ``It is important that the plan ensures the safety of residents.'' It appears that the company is proceeding with concrete considerations while dispelling the concerns of the international community.
However, it has been pointed out that Israel may have violated international law when it notified residents in the northern Gaza Strip last year that they were forced to evacuate to the south, and many residents were forced to evacuate again. If this happens, there will likely be growing criticism from the international community.
French government announces plan to resume funding to UNRWA
The French government has announced that it will resume funding for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), which provides humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip but has been suspended by countries including Japan.
Regarding UNRWA, it was suspected that some of its staff were involved in the attack on Israel by the Islamic group Hamas in October last year, and many major donor countries suspended funding, but the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has deteriorated. Despite the worsening situation, countries such as Canada, Sweden, and Australia announced this month that they would resume contributions.
Under these circumstances, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Lemoine said at a press conference on the 28th, ``We will continue to make contributions while ensuring that UNRWA fulfills its mission without calling for hatred or violence.'' France will also resume its contributions. We have announced that we will contribute more than 30 million euros, or more than 4.9 billion yen, by the end of this year.
UNRWA Director-General Lazzarini, who is visiting Japan, met with Foreign Minister Kamikawa on the 28th and explained the organization's reform efforts, and attention is on whether Japan will also resume its contributions.