Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez described the situation of Gaza as “catastrophic genocide” on Thursday, as rescuers in the war-battered territory of Palestine have said Israeli forces have killed 56 people as reported by AFP.
Sanchez has become a prominent European leader to voice out their critique against Israel’s offensive and brand it as “genocide”. He was speaking ahead of an EU summit in Brussels.
Sanchez urged the EU to suspend its cooperation agreement with Israel, citing an EU report that pointed to “indications” of Israel violating its human rights obligations under the pact, which serves as the foundation for their trade relationship.
The text made mention of Israel’s complete blockade of humanitarian territory into the besieged Palestinian territory and cited the high number of civilian deaths, attacks on journalists, and the large-scale displacement and destruction since the start of the war.
Rights groups suggest that after 20 months of ongoing conflict, Gazans are currently going through a famine-like situation. Israeli authorities had allowed meagre aid to enter into Gaza after two months of complete blockade at the end of May.
The Israeli military has said they had fired “warning shots” in order to prevent “suspects from approaching them” near the Netzarim Corridor, a place in Central Gaza where Palestinians gather each night to collect rations.
Slamming a US and Israeli backed body that has largely replaced established humanitarian aid groups in Gaza, the United Nations has condemned the “weaponization of food” in war-ravaged territory.
Israeli forces had killed 56 people on Thursday, including six people who ere waiting for aid at two different locations as confirmed by the spokesman for Gaza’s civil defence agency, Mahmud Bassal.
AFP footage from a hospital in central Gaza on Wednesday captured heart-wrenching scenes as Palestinians wept over bloodied body bags of relatives killed in an Israeli strike. "They (killed) the father, mother and brothers, only two girls survived. One of them is a baby girl aged one year and two months and the other one is five years old," one mourner said.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed around 56,259 people, most of whom were civilians according to Gaza’s health ministry.
At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and...
Read MoreAt TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment