Israel faces increasing isolation over Gaza war crimes
By Syed Ali
Hassan
Iran Daily’s correspondent
in Pakistan
Over 140 countries have recognized Palestine as a state. The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to cease its military actions, which Israel has ignored. Spain has filed a request with the court to join South Africa in a case against Israel for mass killings of Palestinians. According to global media reports, the United Nations, in its annual report, will release a list of countries and groups that have committed war crimes against children during conflicts. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, has expressed anger over the inclusion of Israel in this list. The list, expected to be published at the end of June, will also include the resistance movements of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to maintain a balance. The report focuses on violations of children’s rights in war-torn areas.
Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad are designated as “terrorist organizations” by the US and some EU countries. The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has now entered its ninth month. According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, one in every 20 Palestinians has been killed or injured by Israeli military actions, and most of Gaza’s 2.4 million population have been displaced, searching for shelter and food. In Tel Aviv, Prime Minister Benjamim Netanyahu’s war cabinet is facing severe disagreements. Extremist Zionists in the cabinet are determined to eliminate every point of Palestinian resistance and oppose any ceasefire in the war.
Benny Gantz, representing extremist Jews in the war cabinet, opposes a permanent ceasefire with Hamas and supports taking all necessary steps for the release of Israeli captives held by Hamas. These extremists have also made highly irresponsible statements regarding the use of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, China and Russia have expressed reservations about the US draft for a ceasefire in Gaza, and both have the power to veto any resolution in the UN Security Council. Algeria, the only Arab member of the Security Council, has also stated it is not ready to advance the draft immediately. Russia’s suggestions include maintaining the ceasefire from the first phase while continuing negotiations for the second phase.
The US is seeking international support for its plan to end the eight-month-long war in Gaza through a resolution in the fifteen-member council, requiring at least nine votes in favor and avoiding a veto from the US, France, the UK, China, or Russia. However, Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ Political Bureau, has stated that Israel’s increasing use of force against Gaza’s people will not force them to accept a ceasefire agreement that does not consider Palestinian interests. In a statement on last Saturday, Haniyeh said Israel’s belief that it could impose its terms through force is foolish. Israel’s internal politics are complicating peace efforts and hindering resolutions that could lead to lasting peace, causing Tel Aviv to reject terms that could facilitate a sustainable peace.