Global condemnation as Israel devastates Gaza’s Rafah ‘safe zone’

Attacks came despite an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling ordering Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah

Muslim Network TV Desk

In a shocking show of aggression and defiance, over 200 Palestinians were killed within the past 24 hours as Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza Strip.

The heaviest toll was exacted on a refugee camp in Rafah, a designated “safe zone,” where at least 40 people perished in an area previously declared secure by Israeli authorities.

Israeli forces continued to target shelters in Jabalia, Nuseirat, and Gaza City, claiming an additional 160 lives.

The attacks came despite an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling ordering Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah, igniting a firestorm of international condemnation and urgent calls for a ceasefire.

Medical sources reported that the camp, housing displaced people, was near the logistics base of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees in Tal al-Sultan.

Eyewitnesses described missiles and 2,000-pound bombs tearing through tents, causing fires and widespread destruction.

The Gaza civil defense force retrieved 50 victims from the site, a temporary home for around 100,000 displaced individuals.

Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, at least 35,984 Palestinians have been killed and over 80,643 injured in Gaza.

The Israeli military admitted to conducting the airstrikes, attributing the casualties to collateral damage and announcing an investigation.

This particular assault on the Tal al-Sultan camp stands as one of the deadliest incidents since the conflict began, deeply eroding the sense of safety among survivors.

International reactions

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) led the global outcry, condemning the Rafah attack as a “war crime and state-sponsored terrorism,” and demanding Israel be held accountable under international law.

OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha decried the “brutal assaults against Palestinian civilians” and urged the UN Security Council to mandate an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression and facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Arab world, including Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, echoed these sentiments, condemning the assault and pressing for UN intervention.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lambasted Israel, comparing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions to those of notorious war criminals.

European nations like Spain, Ireland, and Norway reaffirmed their support for recognizing Palestine, emphasizing the necessity for a ceasefire and adherence to the ICJ’s ruling.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide highlighted the importance of upholding international law, while his Irish and Spanish counterparts called for increased humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts to enforce the ICJ’s decision.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed outrage at the Israeli strikes, urging an immediate halt to the operations.

Former U.K. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna also condemned the attack, calling for an end to the military offensive in Rafah.

Arab nations’ response

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemned the airstrike as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which protects civilians during wartime.

Egypt’s statement described the attack as part of a systematic policy aimed at making Gaza uninhabitable and called for the UN Security Council’s urgent intervention to ensure an immediate ceasefire.

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry labeled the attack a blatant defiance of the ICJ’s decisions and a serious violation of international law and humanitarian principles.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs termed the strike an unprecedented genocide and blatant war crime, urging the international community to enforce relevant international legal resolutions, especially the ICJ ruling.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia joined in condemning the assault, highlighting the grave violations of international laws and the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Both nations called for immediate international intervention to stop the ongoing Israeli massacres and alleviate the unprecedented humanitarian disaster faced by the Palestinian people.

European nations’ stand

In a joint press conference in Brussels, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stressed the binding nature of the ICJ’s ruling, calling Israel’s continued military actions in Rafah a breach of international law.

He emphasized the global importance of upholding international norms and legal principles.

Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as barbaric, calling for an immediate end to Israeli military operations and the unconditional release of hostages.

He stressed the need for a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza and the importance of multilateralism and the independence of international legal institutions.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares criticized Israel’s recent actions against European diplomats, underscoring the urgency of a ceasefire and adherence to international law.

He announced plans to rally support from other EU nations to back the ICJ’s decision and enforce measures if Israel continues to disregard the court’s ruling.

Former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna joined the chorus of condemnation.

Corbyn described the bombing of Rafah as a “monstrous failure of humanity,” while Khanna urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to halt the military offensive immediately, emphasizing the moral urgency of ending the Rafah campaign.

The coordinated international response underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution and the protection of civilians in Gaza.

The recognition of the state of Palestine by Spain, Ireland, and Norway marks a significant step towards reviving peace efforts in the Middle East, aiming to support non-violent forces and promote a future where Palestinian and Israeli states can coexist peacefully.