Some more lies
Benny Gantz, Antony Blinken hold talks after ICJ ruling on Rafah
Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after a ruling by the World Court to immediately cease military operations in Rafah.
According to a statement by Gantz’s office, the men discussed “efforts to ensure the return of the hostages” and prospects of normalization with Saudi Arabia. He said Israel rejects the Saudi condition of “establishing a pathway to a future Palestinian state” in return for bilateral relations.
Blinken reportedly raised the issue of improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with Gantz responding aid supplies reach all areas of the enclave.
Gantz stressed Israel will continue the war on Gaza, including its offensive in Rafah, and “make an effort to avoid harming the civilian population”.
Worms, insects infest Gaza-bound food rotting in Egyptian sun
The trucks carrying desperately needed aid for Gaza have been stuck on the Egyptian side of the border for weeks after the Rafah border crossing was closed in early May following Israel’s seizure of its Palestinian side.
International Court of Justice ‘can go to hell’: US Senator Lindsey Graham
The right-wing conservative’s remarks came after the World Court ordered Israel to open the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza to let in desperately needed aid and cease its attacks on the overcrowded city.
“As far as I’m concerned, the ICJ can go to hell. It is long past time to stand up to these so-called international justice organizations associated with the UN. Their anti-Israel bias is overwhelming,” Graham, a Republican, said on X.
“The ICJ’s ruling that Israel should stop operations that are necessary to destroy four battalions of Hamas killers and terrorists – who use Palestinians as human shields – is ridiculous. This will and should be ignored by Israel.”
Israel has so far killed more than 35,800 Palestinians in Gaza and leveled most of the territory, creating a massive a humanitarian crisis.
‘The healthcare system in Gaza is on its knees’: UN
Israeli military attacks across the Gaza Strip have significantly damaged or rendered inoperable all hospitals and healthcare facilities. Humanitarian workers have set up nine field hospitals, but it is not enough to attend to the wounded Palestinians coming in every day, according to the UN.
“Thousands need to be evacuated for treatment they can’t access within the Strip,” it said.
The health-care system in #Gaza is on its knees.
Humanitarians have set up 9 field hospitals, but this is not enough to attend to the continuous influx of patients.
Thousands need to be evacuated for treatment they can't access within the Strip.
🔊 Hear from staff on site 🔽
— UN Humanitarian (@UNOCHA) May 24, 2024
Israel must comply with World Court ruling immediately: Amnesty
The UK-based human rights organisation says the ICJ order makes it “crystal clear” that Israel must halt the attack on Rafah.
“The Israeli authorities must completely halt military operations in Rafah, as any ongoing military action could constitute an underlying act of genocide,” said Heba Morayef, Amnesty International’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, in a statement.
“Unequivocally, the ground incursion and the associated mass forced displacement it has caused, pose further irreparable risk to the rights of the Palestinian people protected under the Genocide Convention and further threaten their physical destruction in whole or in part.”
Palestinians outside a house hit by Israeli bombardment in the Tal as-Sultan neighbourhood in Rafah
ICJ rules Israel must stop Rafah operation, what’s next?
International Court of Justice orders are legally binding. However, the court’s ruling will now be discussed at the UN Security Council where states can decide to take united action to enforce the court’s rulings.
However, the US has a veto, which it has historically used to shield Israel from the consequences of violating international law.
But the new World Court order compounds the pressure on Western states that arm Israel. “How can you justify selling weapons for Israel to use in Rafah? I don’t think you can. I think it is legally impossible,” said Alonso Gurmendi, an international law scholar at King’s College, London.
