On Thursday, the leaders of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand asked for an instant humanitarian halt in Gaza. This was in reaction to news reports that Israel was planning a military operation in Rafah.
“Signs that Israel is planning a ground offensive into Rafah make us very worried.” The three countries’ prime ministers said in a statement that sending troops into Rafah would be disastrous.
“An immediate humanitarian ceasefire is urgently needed.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel will launch an attack against Hamas in Rafah, which is the last safe place for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza, after letting residents leave the area.
The statement asked Israel to stop the attack, but it also said that any ceasefire could not be “one-sided” and that Hamas would have to give up its weapons and free all of its prisoners right away.
In January, the International Court of Justice ruled in South Africa’s case of genocide that Israel had to protect people, provide essential services, and send critical relief aid.
“The protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law,” it stated. “Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas.”
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