Israel (Transatlantic Today) – After the attack on the refugee camp in the south of the Gaza Strip, where at least 45 Palestinians died, leaders from various countries expressed their rejection of what happened.
EU Calls for Commitment to ICJ Order
On Monday, May 27, 2024, the European Union’s chief diplomat and several foreign ministers from the union, called upon abiding by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) verdict ordering a cease to Israel’s offensive in Rafah. Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, underscored the importance of the international community ensuring the execution of the ICJ ruling. “We must not only respect the decision but also insist on its implementation,” Borrell said.
ICJ Ruling and Continued Violence
According to DW, the ICJ, the highest court in the UN system, ordered Israel on May 24, 2024, to cease its offensive on Rafah, which borders Egypt. Despite this ruling, further attacks were reported in the area on Sunday night.
Condemnation from EU Ministers
Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin condemned the violence, describing the bombing in densely populated Gaza as “barbaric” with severe consequences for civilians. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares reiterated that ICJ decisions are binding on all parties and called for an immediate halt to the offensive in Rafah. French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné acknowledged the court’s independence and emphasized that while Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by the US and the EU, Israel, as a democratic state, must adhere to international law.
Upcoming EU Meeting on Gaza
European foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Brussels to discuss the crisis in Gaza. The meeting will include several Middle Eastern counterparts and a representative of the Arab League. Borrell mentioned that discussions will include the potential revival of a mission, suspended since 2007, to monitor the movement of people from Gaza to Egypt. He noted that coordination with Egyptian, Palestinian, and Israeli authorities is essential for this initiative.