Israeli Airstrike Kills 45 People in Rafah Camp Sparking Global Outcry
Plus: China hosts Arab summit, Western countries skip UN tribute to Iran's Raisi. US military pier in Gaza damaged, and Israeli authorities lift food restrictions to Gaza amid offensive.
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Israeli Airstrike Kills 45 People in Gaza Tent Camp
An airstrike conducted by Israeli forces on Sunday resulted in a fire that killed at least 45 people in a tent camp situated in the Gazan city of Rafah.
This sparked widespread condemnation from global leaders, who emphasized the need to adhere to a World Court ruling aiming to cease Israel's military actions.
Families of Palestinian descent hurriedly transported their deceased loved ones to hospitals for burial arrangements after a strike occurred late on Sunday night, igniting tents and makeshift shelters made of flimsy metal.
Survivors recounted that families were preparing to sleep when the strike targeted the Tel Al-Sultan neighborhood, where thousands had sought refuge following the start of a ground offensive by Israeli forces in the eastern part of Rafah over two weeks ago.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the airstrike was not intended to inflict harm on civilians.
The United States urged Israel to exercise greater caution in safeguarding civilians but refrained from explicitly calling for a cessation of the incursion into Rafah, while several global leaders called on Israel to halt operations in Rafah and follow last week's ICJ ruling.
According to Gaza's health ministry, more than 36,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israel's offensive.
China Hosts Arab Summit, Calls for Ceasefire Amid Gaza Conflict
The largest Arab summit hosted by China concluded with the release of the "Beijing Declaration" on Thursday. Attended by Arab leaders amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the summit aimed to strengthen China's role in the region.
The declaration expressed grave concerns regarding the Gaza conflict, urging for an immediate ceasefire and stressing the importance of continuous humanitarian assistance. It reiterated support for the two-state solution and condemned the forced displacement of Palestinians.
Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's commitment to Arab relations, endorsing Palestine's U.N. membership and suggesting an international peace conference.
China pledged 500 million yuan ($69 million) in humanitarian aid for Gaza and $3 million to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency. Additionally, the forum adopted the Action Implementation Plan to boost cooperation across various sectors over the next two years.
Western Countries Skips Tribute to Iran's Raisi at UN
Western and East European nations snubbed the United Nations General Assembly's tribute to Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday.
The assembly's tradition involves holding a meeting to honor a deceased sitting head of state, with representatives from all UN regional groups speaking about their life and legacy.
However, only representatives from the African, Asian-Pacific, and Latin American and Caribbean groups delivered remarks, with no participation from West European or East European groups nor from the United States, which typically speaks last as the host country.
Meanwhile, over 100 protesters gathered outside the UN headquarters, denouncing the memorial for Raisi with banners and chants criticizing his actions.
Before the assembly convened, 45 current and former UN officials, experts, ambassadors, and judges sent a joint letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, objecting to honoring an individual associated with mass atrocities.
US Military Pier in Gaza Damaged by Heavy Seas, Humanitarian Efforts Delayed
The temporary pier built by the U.S. military to aid Gaza broke apart in heavy seas, dealing a significant setback to the American-led humanitarian efforts in the region, according to Pentagon officials.
Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh stated that the pier sustained damage and needs rebuilding. It will be relocated to the Israeli port of Ashdod for repairs by U.S. Central Command, a process expected to take over a week, further delaying the establishment of the humanitarian corridor.
Part of the pier, comprising a narrow causeway for aid transport and a wider parking area, was disconnected on Sunday and required reconnection before further use.
The $320 million pier, operational since May 17, saw maritime shipments halted due to heavy seas on May 24, just two days before part of it disconnected. The timeline for resuming shipments remains uncertain.
Israeli Authorities Lift Food Restrictions to Gaza Amid Military Offensive
Israeli authorities have lifted restrictions on food sales to Gaza from Israel and the occupied West Bank amid a military offensive straining international aid, according to a Reuters exclusive report. Palestinian officials, businessmen, and aid workers confirm the move. Gazan traders are allowed to buy fresh produce and dairy from Israeli and Palestinian suppliers. This follows an Israeli assault on Rafah, disrupting U.N. aid.
Pressure mounts on Israel to ease the crisis as famine risks grow. Reuters reports on the resumption of commercial food deliveries to Gaza, the first since last year's war. Aid workers have long urged increased deliveries to supplement international aid. However, the flow remains inconsistent, with only a fraction meeting needs. Gaza previously received around 500 trucks daily, now reduced to less than 140, exacerbating the aid shortfall.
The cost of imported food adds further strain, offering limited relief compared to international aid.
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My name is Dario Sabaghi, and I am a freelance journalist interested in international news with a focus on the MENA region.
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Cover photo: Reuters/CNN