The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has sounded the alarm about a $40.8 billion shortfall in humanitarian aid funding globally, highlighting a stark contrast with the record-high global military spending. He also expressed deep concern over the dramatic increase in civilian deaths, particularly women and children, in armed conflicts.
A tragic mistake in an Israeli strike in southern Gaza on Monday, August 1st, 2023, resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians. The strike set fire to a camp housing displaced Palestinians in the city of Rafah, killing at least 45 people and sparking international condemnation.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret and ordered an investigation into the incident. The strike violated international law, according to the UN Security Council, which called for an emergency meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
The deaths of civilians have added to the mounting international criticism of Israel’s war with Hamas. Israel’s closest allies have also expressed outrage at the civilian deaths. France and Germany have condemned the strike and called for an immediate ceasefire. Egypt has also expressed concern, saying that Israel’s incursion in Rafah could threaten the decades-old peace treaty between the two countries.
The International Criminal Court is pursuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as three Hamas leaders, for alleged war crimes. Israel has denied allegations of genocide brought against it by South Africa at the International Court of Justice.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged a “tragic mistake” after an Israeli strike in Rafah killed at least 45 displaced Palestinians. Condemnation surged internationally, including from close allies like the US and France. The attack raised the Palestinian death toll in the war over 3,600. Israel’s military said it would investigate the incident, while international legal proceedings are ongoing against top Israeli officials.
India has once again expressed its strong opposition to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, condemning the civilian deaths and calling for international law to be respected. India also reiterated its support for Palestine’s bid for full UN membership and urged the conflicting parties to engage in direct peace negotiations as soon as possible.
