Macron denounces airstrike in Rafah, while Germany observes.
Israel retaliates with an air strike on the border city of Rafah following rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. The supposed target is a Hamas training camp. Victims are anticipated. Various nations including France and numerous Arab countries criticize Israel's actions.
French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his displeasure on Twitter regarding the Israeli bombing of Rafah in the Gaza Strip resulting in at least 35 casualties. He urged: "These attacks must stop." Macron intensified his disapproval, stressing, "There are no safe sanctuaries for Palestinian civilians in Rafah." He demanded an immediate suspension of hostilities and strict adherence to international laws.
Reportedly, the health authorities under Hamas' control disclosed over 35 people were killed and multiple injuries sustained during Israel's air attacks on Rafah on Sunday. The Red Crescent declared tents belonging to displaced individuals had been hit as well. Israeli military sources specified the attack was executed on a Hamas facility. Notable Hamas members perished.
Unlike France, the German government suspects a blunder was committed by Israel concerning the Rafah attack. Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit specified that inquiries are ongoing in Israel in relation to the intentional nature of the air strikes. "We can now say at least one mistake has taken place," he added. The nature of this error needs to be established.
Hebestreit responded to inquiries: "With regard to whether this amounts to a war crime under international law, this is a question legal experts who are familiar with the circumstances need to decide." If such a violation is confirmed, the German government will surely condemn it. The spokesperson reiterated: "First, determine what transpired, and then judge. Not based on images straight away." In the wake of rocket shots from Rafah towards Tel Aviv, Hebestreit highlighted the right of self-defense for Israel under international law.
Several Arab countries condemned Israel's actions on Rafah. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry deemed the "deliberate bombing of the shelters of the displaced" a "new and flagrant breach of international law." Jordan criticized the "disregard for the International Court of Justice's rule." The Jordanian government deemed the recent raid "contemptible war crimes by the Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip."
The mediating state of Qatar expressed concern that the raid could jeopardize attempts to attain a Gaza war ceasefire. The Doha Foreign Ministry appealed to the international community for swift action to prevent "an act of genocide." The Saudi Foreign Ministry angrily repudiated the "assaults on defenseless civilians in the Gaza Strip." Saudi Arabia unequivocally rejected "continued flagrant violations" of Israel.
The conflict in the Gaza Strip has been ongoing for nearly eight months. Hamas, labeled a terrorist organization by the US and the EU, perpetrated a sizable assault on Israel on October 7 and supposedly killed over 1170 people, as per Israeli sources. Additionally, 252 individuals were allegedly abducted to Gaza.
Since the October 7 attack, Israel has conducted intense military operations in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas-controlled health ministry, inaccessible for independent verification, claimed that more than 36,000 people have been slain so far.
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- Despite France's condemnation of Israel's air strike in Rafah, Germany expressed doubt over whether Israel intentionally targeted civilians, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.
- The Gaza Strip continues to be the focus of international concern, with Hamas's actions towards Israel leading to ongoing conflict and a significant number of casualties, as reported by the Hamas-controlled health ministry.
- Emmanuel Macron, the French President, remains firmly against the Israeli bombing of Rafah, urging an immediate halt to hostilities and demanding adherence to international laws, as Hamas continues to launch rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip towards Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv.
Source: www.ntv.de
