Palestine would be the first of 52 nations to talk because the ICJ begins six days of hearings trying into the legality of Israel’s 57-year occupation.
Right here’s how issues stand on Monday, February 19, 2024:
Combating and humanitarian disaster
- Gaza’s Ministry of Well being stated one other affected person died at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, taking the variety of deaths to eight because the Israeli army reduce electrical energy and oxygen provides.
- Footage verified by Al Jazeera exhibits tons of of Palestinians in Gaza Metropolis speeding in direction of support vehicles earlier than fleeing after Israeli forces open fireplace at them.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed rising calls to halt the army offensive in Gaza, promising to “end the job”.
- Israeli air raids have continued throughout Gaza, killing at the very least 18 individuals in a single day into Monday, in line with medics and witnesses.
- World Well being Group Director-Basic Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated a WHO group was not allowed to enter the Nasser Hospital. In a put up on X, he stated about 200 sufferers stay, together with 20 who want pressing referrals elsewhere.
- Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated at the very least 200 fighters surrendered on the hospital. The Gaza Well being Ministry stated 70 medical personnel had been amongst these arrested, together with sufferers, leaving 150 sufferers with out medical care.
- About 80 % of Gaza’s inhabitants has been displaced and 1 / 4 face hunger. Wael Abu Omar, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Crossings Authority, stated 123 support vehicles entered Gaza by way of Karem Abu Salem, also referred to as Kerem Shalom, border crossing on Sunday and 4 vehicles of cooking fuel entered by way of the Rafah crossing with Egypt.
Diplomacy
- On Monday, the state of Palestine will be the first of 52 nations to talk because the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice (ICJ) begins six days of hearings on Monday.
- This case focuses on Israel’s occupation of the West Financial institution, Gaza and East Jerusalem since 1967.
- Individually, the United Nations Safety Council is anticipated to vote on Tuesday on an Arab-backed decision demanding a right away humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which the USA introduced it’s going to veto.
- In the meantime, Norway agreed to behave as an middleman between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) within the switch of frozen tax funds.
- Individually, US Congressman Robert Garcia voiced help for a “free and protected” two-state resolution and a “lasting ceasefire” in a post on social media.
Violence in occupied West Financial institution
- The Israeli army raided the city of Qabatiya, south of Jenin within the occupied West Financial institution, the Wafa information company stated.
- Israeli forces destroyed property and autos, distributed threatening leaflets and arrested at the very least three Palestinians in raids on houses, the Wafa information company reported. Confrontations additionally broke out, with the Israeli army throwing smoke bombs.