Israel Maintains War Aim Despite Rafah Assault

Conflict in the Middle East Region. - Israel Maintains War Aim Despite Rafah Assault

Despite criticism from around the world about Israel's commitment to its war goals, following a deadly air strike that caused multiple casualties in a refugee camp in Rafah, the UN Security Council is organizing an emergency session. Sources inform they'll gather at 9:30 PM local time.

An official from the US State Department finds the images from the southern Gaza Strip refugee camp distressing and states they're working with the Israeli military and local partners to understand the situation behind the airstrike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed his parliament on a "regrettable incident" but further reaffirmed, "I won't back down or yield. I will not conclude this war until we've achieved our goals."

The US supports Israel's right to fight against Hamas, as indicated by a State Department spokesperson. However, they also emphasized, "But Israel should take every step possible to protect their civilian population." Thousands were hurt in the attack on a camp in southern Gaza per the Palestinian Health Ministry, yet most were women and children.

The attack in Rafah reportedly killed at least 45 people and injured many more. Palestinian authorities disclosed children and women as the major casualties. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced Israel's actions and demanded, "This must cease immediately."

The US official stated that Israel can act against Hamas but needs to safeguard their citizens.

Israeli officials assert a 100-meter distant fuel tank could've caught fire as a result of air strike shrapnel, causing a tent to ignite and trigger the massive blaze in the facility. The US doesn't have confirmed information on this incident. Shocking videos of charred civilians being retrieved from burning tents circulated within social networks. The Israeli authorities announced they'd took precautions to avoid injuring civilians.

Precise bombings and monitoring the area via the air were their strategies.

Two US authorities shared with Axios that the Biden administration was still studying if the deadly airstrike breached Biden's previous red line warning of cutting off some US weaponry if Israel's military probed heavily populated areas in Rafah. Previously, if operations reached the scale he-government had warned about, US Government would've protested. Their stance is unclear, as the incidents continue to unfold.

Germany's government thinks that Israel committed a mistake with the attack.

Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit stressed in Berlin an error occurred but couldn't reveal yet whether it was an intentional or targeted attack. "Determine what transpired is the primary step before making a judgment," he stated.

This setback caused Hamas to postpone its participation in the ceasefire negotiations. They withdrew since there's been widespread international condemnation since the attack. Indirect negotiations facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and US, reached stalemate after days of discussions in Cairo and Doha. Resumption of said negotiations is planned in the days to come.

The EU will host discussions with Israel about the situation in Gaza.

The EU will hold talks and raise statements with Israel on the human rights issues linked to the Gaza conflict. The EU wants Israel to respect human rights, no matter what the International Court of Justice decided when debating the same, Borrell explained. The ICJ demanded that Israel immediately terminate its operations in Rafah and avoid actions that could destabilize the residual Palestinian population in Gaza. Though the ICJ's decisions are binding, their enforcement in case of non-compliance is unfeasible.

A short while after Norway, Ireland, and Spain make the decision to acknowledge a Palestinian state, Palestine is now considered an official state by these countries. Norway implemented this change just before midnight. Their goal is to encourage the idea of a two-state solution where there would be a peaceful coexistence between a Palestinian state and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, along with the extremist group Hamas that refuses to acknowledge Israel's existence, are against the two-state solution.

At this point, it's uncertain if the UN Security Council's meeting will occur in public or in private. Privately seems like the more probable option, as reported by a diplomat.

Read also:

• Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
• Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
• UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
• SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year

1. The worldwide criticism of Israel's war goals intensified after an offensive air strike in Rafah led to numerous casualties in a refugee camp, causing distress among US State Department officials.
2. During an emergency UN Security Council session at 9:30 PM local time, discussions on Israel's war aim will ensue.
3. The US Department of State is collaborating with the Israeli military and local partners to comprehend the circumstances behind the fatal airstrike in the Gaza Strip.
4. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, maintained his stance on the "regrettable incident" but reiterated his commitment to achieving the war goals, pledging not to back down.
5. The US supports Israel's right to engage in combat against Hamas but stresses the importance of protecting civilians as a primary consideration.
6. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported over 4,000 injuries, primarily women and children, following the Rafah air strike, sparking international condemnation.
7. Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, denounced Israel's actions and called for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing the need for restraint in the Middle East region.
8. As a result of the airstrike, Harakat el-Mukawame el-Islamije, a terrorist organization, has announced its withdrawal from ceasefire negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
9. Joe Biden's administration is contemplating whether or not to impose sanctions on Israel for breaching the President's previous red line warning about deploying military operations near heavily populated areas in Rafah.
10. European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell expressed his concern over the human rights issues related to the Gaza conflict and emphasized the importance of respecting this fundamental right, regardless of any International Court of Justice ruling.
11. Germany has expressed regret for Israel's actions and has called for an investigation into the situation in Gaza.
12. The United Nations Security Council meeting discussing the conflict in the Middle East may take place in private, as reported by diplomatic sources.
13. Recognizing Palestine as an official state, countries such as Norway, Ireland, and Spain show their support for the two-state solution in the ongoing Middle East conflict, despite the opposition from Israel's Prime Minister and extremist groups like Hamas.

Source: www.stern.de