For billions of people in shock, Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan shredding symbolic copies of the Charter of the United Nations to pieces at a special session of the UN General Assembly on May 10 shows more than Israeli refusal of Gaze cease-fire.
Before a resolution vote on Palestinian membership, Erdan coupled his mock with accusing most other countries, claiming the resolution opened up the UN for "modern day Nazis, the Hitler of our times”. He also shredded in mockery the UN charter at the UNGA.
Like their diplomat’s bizarre mock, Israel authorities continue to disregard UN resolutions and repeated calls for Gaza cease-fire while putting blame on others, escalating bombings of the Gaza Strip and ground attacks of Rafah, the last haven for more than 1 million refugees while blocking humanitarian aids.
During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 63 Palestinians and wounded 114 others, bringing the total death toll to 35,034 and injuries to 78,755 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out last October
To the Palestinians who are suffering so, “this clownish behavior of the Israeli envoy at the UN is a promising sign that Israel is more isolate than ever in the eyes of the international community,” Muslim Imran, director at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue in Malaysia, told China Daily.
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Israeli leaders “have gotten used to acting with impunity”, having “disregard for all international resolutions and international institutions” largely due to the American blind support, he said, citing Israeli leaders having issued threats to international court and institutions.
The resolution at the UNGA was adopted with 143 votes and nine against, including the United States and Israel, while 25 countries abstained. China voted for the resolution, which stated, "The State of Palestine... should therefore be admitted to membership", recommending that the UNSC to reconsider its position after the US vetoed it on April 18.
Imran noted that as Israel itself was created and recognized by the United Nations, Israel going against UN publicly only meant that the feeling of isolation was growing in Tel Aviv and that they were breaking whatever relations they have with the international community for seizure of Gaza.
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi welcomed the UNGA outcome and pointed out that the State of Palestine “can exercise all its rights and duties at this world body”, the Emirates News Agency reported.
Al-Budaiwi stressed the GCC's firm position in supporting the Palestinian cause, and reaching a solution based on “ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative”.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on May 11, said that the resolution “clearly indicates the compass of global will and direction of international public opinion on Palestine, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Aboul-Gheit said that the move "reflects the reality of Palestine's eligibility to obtain an independent state”, and that it also “sends the right message to the Palestinians at a time when they are exposed to a full-fledged tragedy”, as he stressed that countries convinced of the two-state solution must accelerate steps to transform this vision into a reality.
On Sunday, Israeli warplanes bombed several areas in the northern Gaza Strip, with fierce clashes erupting between Hamas and Israeli forces carrying out fresh operations
However, Israel was upscaling Rafah attacks and pushing to evacuate refugees from Rafah. Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a video released on the IDF’s X account on May 12, the IDF was continuing its operations against Hamas in Rafah as part of their efforts “to achieve an enduring defeat of Hamas” and “bring our hostages home”.
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Josep Borrell, EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said forcing civilians to evacuate Rafah to unsafe zones was “intolerable”. European Council President Charles Michel called on the Israeli government to respect international humanitarian law, adding that all efforts "must continue to secure an agreement for a lasting ceasefire".
The EU is committed to a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, he said, adding that "the establishment of a viable State of Palestine is key in this respect, side by side in peace and security with Israel".
On Sunday, Israeli warplanes bombed several areas in the northern Gaza Strip, with fierce clashes erupting between Hamas and Israeli forces carrying out fresh operations.
Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that Israel carried out heavy air and artillery strikes on residential buildings and agricultural lands in Jabalia refugee camp, its nearby Jabalia city, the Beit Lahia city, and some neighborhoods in Gaza City.
Gaza Civil Defense Spokesman Mahmoud Basel said in a statement that Israeli forces have intensified strikes on those residential homes where civilians remained inside.
He said casualties were reported from Jabalia and nearby areas targeted by the Israeli strikes but "it is difficult for our teams to reach them due to the intensity of gunfire."
The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has exceeded 35,000, health authorities in Gaza said in a press statement.
During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 63 Palestinians and wounded 114 others, bringing the total death toll to 35,034 and injuries to 78,755 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out last October, it said.
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The statement noted that a number of victims are still under the rubble, and ambulance and civil defense crews cannot reach them.
Meanwhile, Israeli tanks and military vehicles went deeper from the eastern outskirts to advance a new assault on northern Gaza, according to unnamed Palestinian sources.
Since Sunday morning, the Israeli strikes have prompted a large number of Palestinian families to flee westward, carrying belongings on foot or cramped in vehicles
The advancement came after fierce clashes since last night between members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Israeli forces in the area.
Since Sunday morning, the Israeli strikes have prompted a large number of Palestinian families to flee westward, carrying belongings on foot or cramped in vehicles.
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"The bombing is everywhere," said Hajja Zuhriya Salman, who clenched a bag and several plastic bags in the streets. Escaping from their home in a hurry, her grandchildren walked barefoot.
"We are escaping from death to death, and there is no safe place in Gaza," she lamented.
"It is the third time for me to leave home since the beginning of the war, and we hope to end the war as soon as possible, which has been, in more than 200 days, a nightmare for us."
Xinhua contributed to this report.
