Israel continues Rafah strikes after dozens killed in Sunday bombing - BBC News
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Edited by Barbara Tasch Rewritten: Revised by Barbara Tasch
The schedule mentioned is in UK time.
What's The Philly Corridor?
Rewriting: The editor of the Digital Middle East section.
The Philadelphi Passageway, mentioned by the IDF as their operational area during the night, is a thin area measuring around 14km (8.6 miles) long that stretches along the whole border of Gaza with Egypt. This zone incorporates the Rafah crossing point which Israel took over from Hamas on the 7th of May.
The hallway is a component of a larger, peaceful area settled by Israel and Egypt when Israel took its soldiers and residents out of Gaza in 2005. Under the treaty, Egypt was permitted to position a few border patrol officers on their side to hinder the smuggling of arms and unlawful infiltration.
From 2007 onwards, Hamas has governed the Gaza region and engaged in tunnel excavation and weapon trafficking. Taxation on goods smuggled through these tunnels has become a significant source of income for them. Despite Egypt's efforts to flood and destroy some of the tunnels, some still remain operational and additional ones have been dug. According to Israel, there are 50 of these tunnels that cross into Egypt.
In December 2023, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that gaining authority over the border region, which covers the Philadelphi Corridor, was necessary in order to ensure its demilitarization. Recently, the Israeli Defense Forces have taken control of Zoroub Hill, which is the tallest hill overseeing the Gaza-Egypt border. This action has effectively granted them authority over a 9km segment of the corridor.
In the past, Egypt has stated that it won't open the Rafah crossing to provide assistance until the Gazan side is returned to the Palestinian people. Unfortunately, this seems highly unlikely to happen now.
IDF Confirms Gaza-Egypt Border Operations
The Israel Military has verified that soldiers were sent to the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land that separates Gaza and Egypt, throughout the night.
Previously, we shared that witnesses had stated that Israeli forces had taken over a crucial 9km stretch of road.
According to a statement made by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), they are currently involved in close-range combat with terrorists and identifying tunnels, weapons, and other terrorist-related structures in the Rafah area.
The Israeli armed forces announced that they are increasing their efforts in the central Gaza Strip and conducting operations in the northern region of Gaza.
Today's Diplomatic Actions Won't Impact Reality
The nations of Ireland, Spain, and Norway have declared that they are acknowledging the statehood of Palestine in order to initiate a process of political change.
Their point is that the current crisis can only be solved for a long period if both parties work towards a political goal. However, what exactly does this mean and how will it be put into action?
The issue lies in the fact that acknowledging Palestine as a state is mostly a symbolic act unless it also deals with the essential related matters.
What ought to be the boundaries? Where would the best place for the capital be situated? What initial steps need to be taken by both parties to achieve it?
These are challenging inquiries that have yet to be resolved or adequately addressed for many years.
Fans of the decision will express enthusiasm, while critics will voice disappointment.
The harsh truth for Palestinians living in their homeland is improbable to be altered.
Here is where you can access my complete assessment.
UNRWA: Daily Increase In Horrific Brutality
Sam Rose, the head of planning at UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, was interviewed by the BBC's Today program in Rafah on the devastating airstrike that claimed the lives of numerous Palestinians on Sunday.
The health ministry controlled by Hamas reported that no less than 45 individuals have perished, while numerous people have received medical attention for severe burns, broken bones, and wounds caused by shrapnel.
Rose reported that a camp was heavily struck about eight times and the impact caused fatal fires. Additionally, he mentioned the occurrence of dreadful injuries from shrapnel according to some sources.
Rose discusses how the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, referred to the strike as a "mishap" in the beginning.
We cannot disregard this as a mere coincidence. Females and minors were murdered in the utmost horrific and merciless way," he stated.
He claims that the condition in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly with an increase in violence, bloodshed, and cruelty on a daily basis.
He says that if this doesn't alert the international community, it's difficult to imagine what will.
Recent Events: What's Been Going On?
A lot of stuff has been going on in the past few days. Here's a summary of what's been happening before an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council later tonight.
Israel's FM Criticizes Spain In Speech
This morning, the Foreign Minister of Israel named Israel Katz publicly expressed his disapproval of an important member of the Spanish government.
Last week, Yolanda Diaz, the deputy prime minister and labour minister of Spain's left-leaning government shared a video on social media where she uttered the incendiary phrase, "Palestine will be free from the river to the sea."
On X, Katz wrote in Spanish discussing Diaz's opinions, which Katz compared to the leaders of Hamas and Iran. Katz alleged that these leaders advocate for the "elimination of Israel as a state and the creation of a terrorist Islamic state for the Palestinians stretching from the river to the sea."
Katz blamed the Spanish prime minister for supporting the killing of Jewish people and participating in war crimes by refusing to dismiss the woman and acknowledging the state of Palestine.
Israel has expressed significant disapproval regarding Spain's choice to acknowledge the statehood of Palestine, as they believe that it will empower the militant group known as Hamas.
"Palestine State Crucial For Peace" - Sanchez
The leader of Spain spoke to the public this morning and stated that recognizing Palestine as a state is crucial for creating stability in the area.
According to Pedro Sánchez, it is essential to take a step towards lasting peace as it is a matter of historic justice.
He stated that Spain will become a part of nearly 140 countries that have already acknowledged the statehood of Palestine.
Later on today, he has planned to arrange a meeting with his ministers, during which the diplomatic plan will receive official approval.
China Concerned Over Rafah Situation
The country of China has asked Israel to put an end to their assaults in Rafah following the destructive bombing at a camp for those who have nowhere else to live, causing the death of numerous individuals.
The AFP news agency reported that Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry, stated that Beijing was extremely worried about the continuing Israeli military actions in Rafah.
The strike has caused a lot of criticism and disapproval from countries around the world.
António Guterres, the United Nations secretary general, declared on Monday that the attack had caused the death of numerous innocent civilians who were simply looking for safety from the lethal conflict.
Volker Turk, the leader of human rights at the UN, expressed that the recent attack implied that Israel is still using the same harmful tactics of war that have resulted in numerous innocent lives lost.
The United States referred to the pictures as "tear-jerking" but maintained that Israel had the legal right to safeguard itself. The US also emphasized that "Israel should do everything in its power to ensure the protection of innocent people." The most senior diplomat of the European Union, Josep Borrell, described the air attack on Sunday as "shocking."
Escaping Rafah's Bombing: Civilians Piled With Belongings
After military operations in Rafah intensified, many of the hundreds of thousands of civilians who were taking refuge in the city are opting to leave.
This morning, people in Rafah observed families moving their possessions around in search of a safe haven amid the intensifying conflict.
Israel had marked Rafah as a protected region for those who were forced to leave their homes in other parts of Gaza. However, a considerable number of individuals have been instructed to evacuate or are leaving voluntarily.
The Israeli army is continuing with a planned attack on the city, claiming it is a main base for the Hamas group in the Palestinian region.
Fleeing Israeli Strikes: Thousands In West Rafah
The Gaza correspondent from BBC News The Gaza specialist from BBC News The person who reports on events in Gaza for BBC News
As the sun came up, many Palestinian people were spotted departing the Tal al-Sultan locality by utilizing various modes of transportation such as automobiles, lorries, and carts pulled by donkeys and horses. Their direction of travel was towards the northern region.
Khaled Mahmoud from Tal al-Sultan located in the western part of Rafah showed his worry and concern.
Our tent is shaking from the explosions, causing fear in my children, while the ill state of my father hinders our ability to flee from the unsettling darkness.
Mahmoud expressed concern about the safety of his community despite being in a zone that the Israeli army considers safe. Unlike those in the eastern region who were issued evacuation orders, they have not received any. He fears that without intervention to provide protection, their lives are in danger.
A distressing video that was circulated on social media showed a lady dashing along a dimly lit street while tightly holding her kid in an attempt to flee from the relentless Israeli bombardment.
During the constant bombings, a journalist who works in the Tal Al-Sultan Kuwaiti Hospital witnessed many families seeking safety in the hospital's courtyard. The situation was so severe that ambulances had trouble accessing the affected areas.
Heavy Bombing Hits Western Rafah
The journalist who reports on events in the Gaza Strip for the BBC News is known as the Gaza correspondent.
The west side of Rafah city is currently experiencing a severe attack of bombardment and artillery fire, which is the most extreme since the military operation started at the beginning of May.
According to witnesses, Israeli tanks have gained possession of Zoroub Hill, which is a crucial strategic point providing a vantage point over the border of Palestine and Egypt.
According to witnesses who spoke to the BBC, the Israeli military has extended their military actions in the western region, with troops now overseeing a 9km stretch of the Philadelphi Corridor. Although local officials indicated that at least 16 individuals were killed during the night, the health ministry has yet to confirm these reports.
The bombings have resulted in numerous families fleeing to a nearby medical facility, as the rescue squads are encountering difficulties approaching the locations where the blasts occurred.
Israel Faces Pressure To Clarify Deadly Strike
A journalist who specializes in diplomatic affairs is currently reporting from the city of Jerusalem.
Israel is currently trying to understand the cause of the tragic event that took place in Rafah on Sunday. Despite using highly accurate weaponry with smaller explosives, the intended "precision strike" still resulted in a devastating explosion, leading to the loss of many lives and several injuries.
After the recent decision made by the International Court of Justice, Israel has been instructed to stop any action that could cause more harm to the Palestinian people in the Rafah region. This ruling has put Israel under global scrutiny, and they are fully aware of the attention that is on them.
The entity is currently facing a lot of scrutiny as it tries to justify its actions, claiming that the operation was conducted based on intelligence and resulted in the death of key Hamas members.
The fact that there were many innocent people around and a large amount of easily ignitable material raises a lot of doubts about the planning and execution of this event.
However, it is uncertain if this is a significant shift in the ongoing campaign. Benjamin Netanyahu is still determined to achieve what he terms as "complete triumph" in Rafah, and there is no indication that he will reconsider his position.
"Rafah Strike On UN Security Council's Agenda"
An urgent gathering has been scheduled for today by the United Nations Security Council to deliberate on an Israeli airstrike that led to the loss of lives of many displaced Palestinians in Rafah on Sunday.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has referred to the strike as an unfortunate accident, but there is an increasing amount of disapproval from countries around the world regarding the event.
Algeria requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council behind closed doors. This was in response to the Rafah attack which has caused an international uproar. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has also expressed his concern about the incident.
He expressed that the condition in that area was "terrifying and should come to a halt" and also stated that there was "nowhere secure in Gaza".
As reported by the health ministry under control of Hamas, the attack that took place on Sunday resulted in the death of at minimum 45 individuals. Many hundreds were also provided medical attention for significant burns, broken bones, and injuries caused by sharp metal fragments.
Spain Advocates For Palestinian Recognition: Peace, Justice, And Coherence
Currently, the process mainly entails cabinets approving acknowledgement subsequent to the announcement made by the prime ministers last week on 28 May.
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, is currently speaking at the La Moncloa, which is where the government office is located. He is asserting that the decision that is about to be approved by the Spanish cabinet is focused on fostering peace, ensuring justice, and promoting coherence.
Dublin is also giving official authorization to the proposal presented by Tánaiste Micheál Martin to the cabinet. This means that the Palestinian flag will be hoisted up next to the Ukrainian flag at Leinster House, which is the central location for parliament.
Spain and Ireland are really excited about something, but there are some other countries in the EU that don't like it. Belgium, Malta, and Slovenia were said to be interested at first, but now they think it's not a good idea.
A number of countries in the European Union already acknowledge the existence of a Palestinian state, as they had done so prior to joining the EU. Only one country in Western Europe, Sweden, has officially done so thus far, and that was back in 2014.
In the EU, Spain's representative, Josep Borrell, is known for being very vocal. Recently, he accused Netanyahu of overusing the term "antisemitism" as a way to deflect criticism. Other EU foreign ministers have also taken notice of the situation and have scheduled a meeting with Israel to address it. Borrell is considered the most outspoken EU representative when it comes to Israel.
The Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, gave a speech at the EU Foreign Ministers meeting held in Brussels yesterday. He talked about how important it is to acknowledge the state of Palestine, not only as a matter of justice for the Palestinian people but also as an essential step towards achieving peace in the region. Albares added that recognising Palestine would provide the best security guarantee for Israel. He made these remarks alongside his counterparts from Ireland and Norway.
Recognition Won't Change Much In Reality
The recent acknowledgement of Palestine as a state by three European nations can be viewed as routine diplomacy. Formalities like exchanging documents, upgrading consulates to embassies, and transforming representatives into ambassadors, will take place.
This issue also has strong political implications. Countries like Ireland, Norway, and Spain are working towards bringing the attention back to a two-state solution.
They argue that merely striving for the cessation of hostilities and the release of captives falls short of what is required. Thus, they are collaborating to exert influence on their peers to do the same.
Israel is angry about this and believes that it is rewarding terrorists. As a result, Israel has removed its own ambassadors from the three countries and has given a official warning to the envoys from those countries who are currently situated in Israel.
All of these events could motivate Palestinians and sway the diplomatic situation, yet it is improbable that there will be significant changes in the physical reality.
Reviving Two-state Solution Through Palestinian Recognition
European countries are divided on supporting Palestinian statehood. However, Spain, Ireland, and Norway are trying to change this by taking a stand today.
The three countries in Europe have worked together to make this decision. They announced it one after the other last week and it will be officially confirmed today.
According to their statement, the decision was not made as an act against Israel. Instead, it was taken as an initiative towards achieving a two-state resolution and bringing stability to the concerned region.
This means that they have officially acknowledged that the regions of Palestine make up a state, much like most countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
The decision creates a disagreement between them and most of Europe. In Europe, there is a widespread political backing for a plan that involves two separate states. This would mean Israel and Palestine would exist side by side without conflict. However, only a few countries have actually recognized this plan.
This morning, Spain's leader, Pedro Sanchez, is scheduled to give a speech. Additionally, the Irish parliament will hold a discussion during which they plan to display the Palestinian flag.
Spain, Ireland, And Norway To Recognize Palestine As Strikes Persist
Join us as we provide live updates and news regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Today, there is an anticipation that three European countries, namely Ireland, Spain, and Norway, will officially acknowledge a Palestinian nation as a state.
Most countries in the world already agree that there should be a Palestinian state, but the three announcements about to be made will change things significantly in Europe, where not many countries have officially recognized Palestine.
Less than two days ago, a lot of innocent people lost their lives due to an airstrike close to Rafah in Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called it a terrible accident. Now, missile attacks from Gaza have been fired at Israel.
The Israeli military is facing an inquiry due to worldwide criticism.
Ongoing conflicts persist in the Rafah region, as Netanyahu vows to achieve "complete success" once more. However, concerns have arisen regarding the potential for harm to non-combatants should military action persist.
We will furnish you with information and examination about these progressions when we receive them, therefore, hang around with us.
