Twenty-six countries out of the 27 members of the European Union spoke with one voice. With the exception of Hungary, everyone demanded, on Monday February 19, a “immediate humanitarian pause” in Gaza. This request means a “stopping the fighting” in order to then allow a lasting ceasefire, explained the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, during a press conference. After a meeting of EU foreign ministers, he declared that the 26 countries were “very concerned” by the possibility of an offensive in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. These states are asking Israel not to launch military action in Rafah, said Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib on X. Follow our live stream.
New strikes carried out on the Gaza Strip. Fighting continued Monday in the Gaza Strip where Israel is threatening to continue its offensive against Hamas during Ramadan if the hostages are not released by then. The Hamas Ministry of Health counted 107 deaths in 24 hours in dozens of strikes, notably on Rafah and the neighboring town of Khan Younes, in the south, where nearly a million and a half Palestinian civilians are massed. A report that we are not able to verify independently.
Israeli Minister Benny Gantz issues an ultimatum. “If, by Ramadan, the hostages are not at home, fighting will continue everywhere, including in the Rafah region [à l’extrême sud de la bande de Gaza]“, warned Israeli Minister Benny Gantz, member of Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet, on Sunday. Ramadan, the holy month of Muslims, is scheduled to begin on March 10. The statement comes despite international pressure to protect the estimated 1.4 million Palestinians crowded into the city of Rafah.
The International Court of Justice consulted on the consequences of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The highest court of the United Nations is holding hearings from Monday on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967, with an unprecedented number of 52 countries called to testify. The United States, Russia and even China will address the judges for a week in The Hague, seat of the ICJ.
Lula compares Israel to the Nazis, “shameful” according to Benjamin Netanyahu. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday accused Israel of committing a “genocide” Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, comparing the Israeli offensive to the extermination of the Jews by the Nazis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted strongly by denouncing comments “shameful and serious” and summoning the Brazilian ambassador to Israel.