Israel launches full-scale attack on Rafah: International community condemns.

On May 28, Israel launched a full-scale attack on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza with airstrikes and tanks, despite international condemnation. At least 45 people were killed.

Residents of Rafah, Gaza, evacuate to escape Israeli attacks. Photo: Reuters

The bloody attack

At least 16 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Rafah. Israeli tanks simultaneously advanced toward residential areas. The Israeli attack on a displacement camp in Rafah on May 26 killed at least 45 people and injured 200 others. This was one of the deadliest attacks by the Israeli military on the southernmost city of Gaza since Israel began its air campaign in Gaza on May 7.

Residents in Rafah say Israeli tanks have been stationed on and around Zurub Hill, a high ground overlooking Rafah west of the city, advancing from the area near the Egyptian border crossing where Israeli forces launched an attack three weeks ago. The Tel Al-Sultan area, where the deadly attack occurred on May 26, is still under heavy bombing.

According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), approximately one million people have fled the Israeli offensive in Rafah since the beginning of May. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive since October 8-10, 2023. Israel launched the operation after Hamas forces attacked communities in southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.

The UN, EU, and US are taking strong measures.

In response to the attack, global leaders called for the implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling issued by the United Nations on May 24 to stop the Israeli offensive. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the Israeli airstrike that killed 45 people in Rafah. He posted on social media: “I condemn the actions of Israel that killed dozens of innocent civilians who were simply seeking refuge from this deadly conflict. There is no safe place in Gaza. The horror must end.”

The UN Security Council held a meeting on May 28 (New York time) following the Israeli attack on Rafah. The meeting was called by Algeria, Saudi Arabia's representative on the council, and supported by Slovenia.

Regarding the European Union (EU), Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said that the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on May 27th was the first time they discussed sanctions against Israel if it does not comply with the ICJ ruling. According to CNN, speaking to reporters, Martin said there was a very clear consensus on the need to uphold the rulings of international humanitarian and legal institutions such as the ICJ.

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in a live television broadcast that the Spanish government had officially recognized the State of Palestine on May 28. He called this recognition "a historic decision – contributing to peace for Israelis and Palestinians."

Norway and Ireland also officially recognized a Palestinian state on May 28, a move that will strengthen the Palestinian cause globally, but will further strain relations between Europe and Israel.

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