International Law Suffers Brutal Blow in Wake of Gaza's Destruction
In a shocking announcement, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed plans to intern 600,000 Palestinians in a "humanitarian city" on the ruins of Rafah, a move that has sparked widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.
The proposed city, initiated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial organisation supported by Israel and the USA, has been met with opposition from various quarters. Fifteen renowned Israeli lawyers, including Eyal Benvenisti, have described the plan as "blatantly illegal" and are urging the Israeli government to abandon it. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has also joined the chorus of dissent, adding his voice to the international outcry.
The situation in Gaza is already dire, with most hospitals partially or completely destroyed, stripping civilians of nearly all healthcare. The people in the Gaza Strip are starving due to lack of access to food and water, and civilians, especially women and children, continue to perish in attacks by the Israeli army. The ceasefire of fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip has further compounded the crisis, with the last reserves soon to be used up, posing life-threatening consequences.
The plan, if implemented, would see the interned Palestinians living in a compound where they would have access to basic amenities, but would not be able to leave except to go to other countries. Observers assume that many Palestinians, weakened and desperate enough by their plight, may accept this arrangement.
The EU and Germany have a crucial role to play in this crisis. They must leverage all means at their disposal to facilitate a ceasefire and secure access to more and genuine humanitarian aid by restoring previous, UN-led distribution mechanisms. If the EU and Germany continue to look the other way and allow killings and displacement, they are betraying international law and universal human rights.
Germany, committed to Israel's right to exist as a state, also upholds adherence to international law as one of its fundamental commitments. The EU and Germany should offer a political perspective for Palestine, including active support of the Israeli and Palestinian civil societies. They must stand united against the plan to expel the Palestinians and ensure that the principles of humanitarian aid and international law are upheld.
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