Israeli Forces Continue Destruction of Gaza City, UN Rights Chief Calls for International Intervention

Strategic Insights -

As the international community condemn Israel for its actions in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened Palestinians to "leave now" as the war continues to escalate. The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, has accused Israel of committing "war crime upon war crime" and condemned the scale of devastation in Gaza as "shocking the conscience of the world".

Key Takeaways:

  • Israel's destruction of Gaza City has levelled more than 50 buildings and partially damaged another 100 since Sunday morning, with rescue teams continuing to pull people from the rubble.
  • The Palestinian Civil Defence has accused Israel of deliberately hitting residential blocks next to encampments of displaced families, destroying more than 200 tents in the last 24 hours.
  • At least 52 Palestinians were killed on Monday alone, with 32 of them in Gaza City, and the Ministry of Health reported six more deaths from starvation and severe malnutrition.
  • The Israeli military has said that four of its soldiers were also killed when a roadside bomb detonated under a tank in northern Gaza.
  • The UN's Volker Turk has called on Israel to stop the "mass killing" of civilians and deliberate obstruction of lifesaving aid.
  • Turkey's appeal to end the "carnage in Gaza" has come as Israel plans to invade Gaza City, with the Palestinian Civil Defence warning of further destruction.
  • The international community, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has condemned Israel's actions, with Sánchez announcing new measures against the country.
  • Hamas has offered to "immediately sit at the negotiating table" after receiving proposals from the United States for a ceasefire and release of captives.

Statistics:

  • Over 50 buildings have been levelled in Gaza City since Sunday morning.
  • 100 buildings have been partially damaged.
  • At least 52 Palestinians were killed on Monday alone.
  • 32 of those killed were in Gaza City.
  • 6 more deaths were reported from starvation and severe malnutrition.
  • The Israeli military has killed 4 of its soldiers in a roadside bomb explosion.
  • Nearly 250 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war began - all of them Palestinian, as Israel bars foreign reporters from entering.

Sources:

  • Al Jazeera
  • Palestinian Civil Defence
  • United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk
  • Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez