Israeli army automobiles maneuver close to the Israel-Gaza border, amid the battle between Israel and Hamas, in Israel, July 25, 2024. | Picture credit score: Reuters
Australia, New Zealand and Canada on Friday known as for a right away ceasefire in Gaza and urged Israel to answer a United Nations court docket that final week dominated its occupation of Palestinian lands and settlements there have been unlawful.
“Israel should take heed to the considerations of the worldwide neighborhood,” the chief’s assertion stated.
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“The safety of civilians is paramount and a requirement of worldwide humanitarian legislation. Palestinian civilians can’t be compelled to pay the worth for the defeat of Hamas. This should finish.”
The leaders additionally stated Israel wanted to carry extremist settlers accountable for continued acts of violence towards Palestinians, reverse its settlement program within the West Financial institution and work towards a two-state resolution.
The Israeli embassy in Australia stated on Thursday it condemned acts of violence towards Palestinian communities.
Final week, the Worldwide Court docket of Justice (ICJ) declared that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories and its settlements there are unlawful and have to be withdrawn as quickly as doable, its strongest conclusion so far on the Israel-Palestine battle.
The chief’s assertion urged Israel to “reply considerably” to the ICJ.
Final week, Israel’s International Ministry rejected the ICJ’s opinion as “essentially flawed” and one-sided, and reiterated its stance {that a} political settlement within the area can solely be reached by negotiations.
Israel captured the West Financial institution, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem — areas of historic Palestine that Palestinians need for his or her state — within the 1967 Center East warfare and has since constructed and steadily expanded settlements within the West Financial institution.
Israeli leaders argue that the territories will not be legally occupied as a result of they’re on disputed land, however the United Nations and far of the worldwide neighborhood think about them occupied territory.
The joint assertion, the second since February, expressed concern in regards to the escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah and stated the chance of a wider regional warfare made a ceasefire in Gaza much more pressing.
The assertion got here hours after US Vice President Kamala Harris put strain on the Israeli prime minister.
Benjamin Netanyahu will assist dealer a ceasefire deal in Gaza that might ease the struggling of Palestinian civilians, taking a harder tone than President Joe Biden.
