Israel conducts air strikes in Rafah in disregard of ICJ verdict.
In the city along Egypt’s border, approximately a million people have moved away from the conflict that started in October. Israel views Rafah as the ultimate refuge for Hamas fighters.
Israel has kept up its assaults on Rafah within the southern Gaza Strip despite a directive from the highest UN court to terminate the offensive. Eyewitnesses claim air strikes were launched against Rafah and Khan Younis, as well as Gaza City, in the early hours. Possible further ceasefire discussions and the potential release of detained Hamas captives could occur shortly.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an immediate stop to the Israeli assault in Rafah on Friday. South Africa's request was partially granted by the court based in The Hague. The court defended its call by stating that the war effort might result in "overall or partial demolition" of the Palestinian population in Gaza. The ICJ also required Israel to maintain the Rafah checkpoint open, allowing passage between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
Israel disregarded the court's observations, bringing no new commitments concerning Rafah. The Israeli military has yet to execute missions in the Rafah vicinity capable of subjecting Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip to conditions leading to their "total or partial destruction," the Israeli Foreign Ministry and National Security Officer Tzachi Hanegbi confirmed following a conference presided over by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with several ministers.
Hamas: Are Israeli soldiers captured?
In this corridor near Egypt, over a million people have sought shelter from the ongoing battle since October. Israel deems Rafah a last redoubt of Hamas fighters.
On Saturday, Hamas' armed division declared their men had raided an Israeli army unit stationed in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza and "killed, injured, or seized all members."
The Israeli army disputes this assertion. "No such incident occurred involving a soldier being abducted," the army clarified without offering comment on any possible casualties incurred by their troops.
Hamas: Over 35,900 deceased
On October 7th, Hamas affiliates conducted a massive attack on Israel, causing over 1,170 deaths according to Israeli assessments. Additionally, 252 individuals were deemed hostages in Gaza.
Per the health department of Hamas' government (not independently confirmed), more than 35,900 casualties have happened.
As per government insiders, Israel plans to resume hostage release talks in the Gaza Strip within the imminent days.
Israeli media reported that Mossad Chief David Barnea, CIA Director Bill Burns, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani reached a consensus on an alternate framework for these ongoing negotiations. A senior Hamas representative, Usama Hamdan, indicated to Al-Jazeera that Hamas "hasn't heard from the intermediaries regarding anything."
Ceasefire deliberations and the liberation of the captive inhabitants in the Gaza Strip ground to a halt this month when Israel initiated a ground push in Rafah.
Hordes of protesters amassed again in Tel Aviv on Saturday evenings, urging the Israeli government to take action to liberate the detained Hamas captives. These protesters commemorated the deceased hostages through a moment of silence. 121 hostages remain confined in Gaza, with 37 of them confirmed deceased by the Israeli military. (Source: www.independent.co.uk)
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Source: www.ntv.de
