On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attack in Gaza as a tragic mistake, leading to the deaths of 45 Palestinians and injuring 200 more. Despite efforts to avoid harming civilians, the incident occurred during an assault targeting Hamas militants, resulting in the unintended casualties.
U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, condemned the attack, stating that the images from the refugee camp in Rafah were horrifying. He criticized Israel’s methods of warfare, which have caused numerous civilian deaths. Turk demanded that Israel follow the International Court of Justice’s order to cease its offensive in Rafah.
European Council President Charles Michel also criticized the strikes in Gaza, calling them horrendous and urging Israel to halt its offensive. The situation was described as “hell on earth” by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. The Health Ministry in Gaza reported fires in tents that sheltered displaced individuals, caused by an Israeli airstrike that killed a Hamas leader.
The White House National Security Council expressed sadness over the attack’s devastating impact, highlighting Israel’s right to go after Hamas. However, they emphasized the need for Israel to protect civilians during military operations. Qatar’s foreign ministry warned that the attack could complicate efforts to mediate a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate ceasefire and full compliance with international law. He was outraged by the Israeli strikes that targeted displaced persons in Rafah. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell discussed the dilemma of enforcing the International Court of Justice’s orders without U.N. Security Council approval.
Netanyahu declared that Israel would continue its operations in Gaza until Hamas loses control over the territory. Meanwhile, Hamas launched a rocket barrage towards Tel Aviv in response to Israeli attacks. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
The material for this report was sourced from various news agencies, including The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Reuters.
