On May 28, Israel launched a full-scale attack on the city of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, with airstrikes and tanks, despite international condemnation. At least 45 people were killed.
Bloody attack
At least 16 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air strikes in Rafah. Israeli tanks simultaneously advanced towards residential areas. The Israeli attack on a displacement camp in Rafah on May 26 left at least 45 people dead and 200 others injured. This was one of the bloodiest attacks by the Israeli army on Gaza's southernmost city since Israel began its air campaign in Gaza on May 7.
Residents in Rafah said Israeli tanks were stationed on and around Zurub Hill, a high ground overlooking the west of Rafah, advancing from the area near the Egyptian border crossing where Israeli forces launched their attack three weeks ago. The Tel Al-Sultan area, where the deadly attack took place on May 26, is still under heavy bombardment.
According to the United Nations Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA), about a million people have fled the Israeli offensive in Rafah since early May. The Gaza Health Ministry said more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive since October 8, 2023. Israel launched the operation after Hamas militants attacked southern Israeli communities on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.
UN, EU and US take strong measures
In response to the attack, global leaders called for the implementation of the order issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of the United Nations (UN) on May 24 to stop the Israeli attack. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the Israeli airstrike that killed 45 people in Rafah. He posted on social network X: “I condemn Israel’s actions that killed dozens of innocent civilians who were just seeking shelter from this deadly conflict. There is no safe place in Gaza. The horror must end.”
The UN Security Council held a meeting on May 28 (New York time) following the Israeli attack on Rafah. The meeting was called by Algeria, the representative of Saudi Arabia on the council, and supported by Slovenia.
As for the European Union (EU), Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said that the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels on May 27 discussed for the first time sanctions against Israel if it does not comply with the ICJ's ruling. According to CNN, speaking to reporters, Mr. Martin said there was a very clear consensus on the need to uphold the rulings of international humanitarian and legal institutions such as the ICJ.
Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in a live television broadcast that the Spanish government approved the official recognition of the state of Palestine on May 28. He called the recognition “a historic decision - contributing to helping Israelis and Palestinians live in peace.”
Norway and Ireland also formally recognized a Palestinian state on May 28, a move that will strengthen the Palestinian cause globally but further strain relations between Europe and Israel.
KHANH MINH compiled
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/israel-tan-cong-tong-luc-rafah-cong-dong-quoc-te-len-an-post742034.html
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