Austin tells Gallant of ‘unquestionable necessity’ to protect civilians in Rafah
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant of the “unquestionable necessity to ensure the protection of civilians” before any Israeli military operation is carried out in Rafah.
On a call with Gallant, he also emphasised the need for an “uninterrupted flow of aid” through the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) and Rafah crossings, after the latter was seized recently and closed by the Israeli military.
Austin also reaffirmed the US’s “ironclad commitment to Israel’s security and the defeat of Hamas”.
I spoke to Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss the ongoing hostage negotiations and the need to increase humanitarian assistance into Gaza via all land crossings. I also discussed our collaboration with the United Nations to establish a maritime corridor to…
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) May 16, 2024
Nothing but fake news from the US at this point. Without any consequences, Israel has proven again and again that they don't give a crap about virtue signalling by the USA. Doesn't matter how many times you change the language, Israel isn't listening as long as you keep providing weapons without any strings attached.
Gaza war ‘threatens to infect entire region’: UN chief tells Arab League summit
In a speech at a summit of the League of Arab States, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said “hearts are breaking for Palestinians in Gaza” and the war is a “wound” that could affect the whole region.
“In its speed and scale, it is the deadliest conflict in my time as secretary-general – for civilians, aid workers, journalists, and our own UN colleagues.”
“I reiterate my call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.” “Yet the toll on civilians continues to escalate. Entire families wiped out. Children traumatised and injured for life. People denied access to the very basics for human survival. A looming famine.”
“Any assault on Rafah is unacceptable. It would inflict another surge of pain and misery when we need a surge in life-saving aid.”
“I am also deeply troubled by tensions in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem, with a spike in illegal Israeli settlements, settler violence, excessive use of force by [Israel’s military], demolitions and evictions”.
Nothing can justify the 7 Oct terror attacks by Hamas.
Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
It’s high time for a humanitarian ceasefire, the immediate & unconditional release of all hostages & unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza. pic.twitter.com/hwkR4cZbG7
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 16, 2024
It has already effected the region, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, all involved. Rafah is already being assaulted. The gulf states continue to sit on the side lines.
And when will the UN actually say: Nothing can justify 76 years of occupation, displacement and apartheid against the Palestinian people. But that would be admitting that the UN screwed up right from the start in 1947 by not involving Palestinians in its decision to give over half of Palestine to Israel. The UN is basically just another colonial project, its political arm needs to be reformed.
Gov’t officials need to ‘wake up’ to Israel’s ‘genocidal intent’: UN rapporteur
Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur for the Palestinian territory, said some government officials would not admit that genocide is being carried out in Gaza even if Israel admitted to its crimes in official diplomatic correspondence.
“Some state officials would not admit that Israel is committing genocide even if the [government] of Israel sent them a Note Verbale with their genocidal intent explicated,” Albanese wrote in a post on social media.
“Wake up: Palestinians have been killed, maimed, abused, displaced, oppressed since even before the establishment of the State of Israel,” the rapporteur added.
Some state officials would not admit that Israel is committing genocide even if the Gvt of Israel sent them a Note Verbale with their genocidal intent explicited black on white.
Wake up: Palestinians have been killed, maimed, abused, displaced, oppressed since even before the… https://t.co/PvD0WpPgvB
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) May 16, 2024
Bless her heart, must be so frustrating to work for the UN
13 foreign ministers warn Israel to halt Rafah ground invasion: Report
Germany’s DPA news agency reports that foreign ministers from 13 countries have signed a letter warning Israel to halt its ground invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip and to allow more aid to reach the Palestinian population.
Citing a report in Germany’s Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, DPA said that apart from the United States, all other members of the Group of Seven (G7) major industrialised nations signed the four-page letter which was dated Wednesday.
In the letter sent to Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, the ministers called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to alleviate the devastating and worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza by opening all border crossings for aid supplies, including the Rafah crossing with Egypt, which is under Israeli military control.
The letter was signed by the foreign ministers of the G7 states: Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Japan and Canada, as well as their counterparts from Australia, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea and Sweden.
Enough with letters, it's past due time for hard sanctions. (Not travel bans on a select few Settlers)
Last edited by SvennoJ - on 18 May 2024
