UN Urges Israeli Security Forces to End Support for Settler Attacks on Palestinians
The United Nations human rights office has called on Israeli security forces to immediately halt their active participation in and support for attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. This plea follows a recent wave of settler attacks on Palestinian towns and villages triggered by the killing of a 14-year-old Israeli boy in what authorities believe was a militant attack. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, seven Palestinians have been killed and 75 wounded by Israeli forces or settlers since the attacks began on Friday. Despite authorities urging against vigilante attacks, human rights groups have long accused Israeli forces of routinely ignoring settler attacks or even participating in them.
The tensions in the region have been escalating since the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war in early October. This war was triggered by a cross-border attack carried out by two militant groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, backed by Iran. The attack resulted in the death of 1,200 people in Israel and the kidnapping of 250 others. In response, Israel launched an offensive in Gaza, causing extensive devastation and a death toll of over 33,800 people, as reported by local health officials.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Call for Cease-Fire in Gaza
In an effort to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have called for an immediate cease-fire as well as the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, expressed dissatisfaction with the current international efforts for a cease-fire, stressing the region’s volatile nature and the need to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe. Pakistan’s foreign minister referred to the situation in Gaza as a “genocide” and called for closer cooperation with Saudi Arabia to support Pakistan’s struggling economy.
Israeli Drone Strike Kills One in Southern Lebanon
An Israeli drone strike on a car in southern Lebanon resulted in the death of one person and the injury of two others. It is yet to be determined whether the individuals in the targeted car were affiliated with Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group. In a prelude to the strike, Hezbollah claimed a counterattack on Israel’s Iron Dome air defense units, causing casualties. Israeli authorities have acknowledged the incident involving two armed UAVs crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory and exploding in Beit Hillel, and the incident is under review.
EasyJet Suspends Israel Flights Until October
EasyJet, a U.K.-based budget airline, has announced the suspension of flights to Israel for the remainder of the spring and summer season after a barrage of drones and missiles were launched by Iran on the country. Flights to Tel Aviv will not resume until late October. German airline Lufthansa has also suspended flights to and from Beirut and Tehran until at least Thursday.
Iran Warns of Immediate Response to Israeli Counter-Strike
An Iranian official stated that Iran will retaliate within seconds if Israel takes action against the country. This warning comes after Iran launched a large-scale attack involving drones and missiles on Israel in response to an Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. Iranian officials have emphasized that a swift and decisive response will be given in case of further Israeli aggression. Israeli military chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, released a statement in response to the attack, confirming that Israel will retaliate but refrained from providing details. The United States and Israel’s allies have actively advised against any further escalation of the conflict.
German Foreign Minister Visits Israel to Help De-escalate Tensions
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is set to travel to Israel to assist in lowering tensions in the aftermath of the recent Iranian attack. She aims to express Germany’s support for Israel and advocate for measures to prevent the conflict from permeating other countries in the region. Baerbock intends to discuss strategies to stop Iran’s aggression without fueling further escalation. She also plans to call for European Union sanctions against Iran and advocate for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. Baerbock condemned the violent death of the Israeli boy and also strongly condemned the attacks by extremist settlers in the West Bank.
UN Calls on Israeli Forces to Halt Settler Attacks on Palestinians
Amid the recent surge in settler attacks on Palestinians, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has declared that Israeli security forces must immediately end their participation in and support for such attacks. The UN statement highlights the role of Israeli security forces in the attacks, as Palestinians have become victims of violent assaults by Israeli settlers, often supported by security forces. The attacks have resulted in deaths, injuries, and the destruction of numerous homes and buildings. The UN stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, must use all available means to restore public order and safety in the occupied West Bank. It is worth mentioning that Israel has been accused of ignoring settler attacks by numerous rights groups in the region.
Death Toll in Gaza Exceeds 33,800, Health Ministry Reports
The Gaza Health Ministry has confirmed that 46 more bodies of individuals killed by Israeli strikes have been brought to local hospitals in the past 24 hours. This brings the overall death toll from the Israel-Hamas war to at least 33,843, according to the ministry. The ministry’s figures do not differentiate between fighters and civilians, although it is known that women and children make up the majority of those killed. Israel, on the other hand, holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties due to the group’s combat operations occurring in densely populated areas. Israel claims to have killed more than 13,000 militants without providing evidence. Despite withdrawals of forces from Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to invade the city of Rafah. The war, which commenced with the Hamas attack on southern Israel, has had catastrophic consequences and has triggered a mass displacement of Gaza’s population, pushing the territory’s inhabitants to the brink of famine.
