Conflict Alerts # 636, 31 May 2024
Shamini Velayutham In the news
On 26 May, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, Israeli air strikes killed 45 people in a camp in Rafah, which Israel had declared a "safe zone." According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), two senior Hamas officials were killed during the air strike.
On 27 May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the fatal attack which struck the IDP camp in Rafah as a "tragic accident." Netanyahu in Knesset stated: "In Rafah, we evacuated a million uninvolved residents and, despite our best efforts, a tragic accident happened." He added: "We are investigating the case and will draw the conclusions."
On 28 May, Hamas said that it had launched eight rockets at Tel Aviv for the first time in several months. On the same day, Israel killed 13 during an airstrike on the "safe area" of al-Mawasi.
On 28 May, Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized Palestine. Ireland Prime Minister Simon Harris said it was a "historic and important move." Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide asserted that it is a special day for "Norway-Palestine relations." Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated: "Palestine was not only a matter of historic justice, it is also an essential requirement if we are all to achieve peace." On the same day, the White House stated that President Joe Biden is not changing "American policy" toward Israel, implying that the incident had not passed a "red line."
On 24 May, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah. South Africa brought the case against Israel for its crimes against humanity. The ICJ President Nawaf Salam stated: "The court considers that, in conformity with its obligations under the Genocide Convention, Israel must immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza condition of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part." The Israeli officials refuted the claims and described ICJ ruling as "false, outrageous and disgusting."
Issues at large
First, a brief note on Rafah. Located in the southwest of Gaza and bordered by Egypt, Rafah is home to 1.4 million displaced people. Before 7 October 2023, the population was estimated to be 275,000. Half of Gaza's pre-war population (2.3 million) has been pushed to Rafah. Approximately 300,000 of them left Rafah following Israel's evacuation orders. On 6 May, the Israeli military began its military operation in Rafah.
Second, the growing international opposition to Israel in terms of institutions and states. On 25 March, the UNSC passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an unconditional release of all hostages. For three previous resolutions, the US backed Israel's right to defend itself, claiming that a ceasefire at that time would benefit Hamas. Subsequently, the International Criminal Court of Justice (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan on 20 May requested arrest warrants against Netanyahu, other Israeli officials and three Hamas officials for war crimes. Three countries from Europe - Ireland, Spain and Norway have now recognized the Palestinian state.
Third, the relentless attack by Israel. According to the UN, about 800,000 people have been forced to flee Rafah after Israel launched a military operation on 6 May. On 18 May, Israeli forces targeted the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, killing 15 Palestinians. The IDF targeted the Al Nuseirat refugee camp on 14 May, killing eight people. Previously, on 22 January, Israeli forces killed 65 people in an air strike in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
In perspective
There is a growing international opposition against Israeli actions in Gaza. However, Israel is determined to neutralize Hamas in Gaza. The international institutions, including UNSC, ICJ, and ICC are continuously pressuring Israel to end the war. Along with the international institutions, the EU member countries' recognition of Palestinian statehood further puts Israel in a position to halt the cessations.
While Israel's handling of the conflict faces increasing opposition on a global scale, Netanyahu's administration is determined to eliminate Hamas from the region.