Insights from Haaretz, The National, Reuters and the Financial Times
The news
Global diplomatic pressure on Israel to halt its attack in Rafah increased as Israeli forces continued to bomb the southern Gaza city and entered the central district for the first time on Tuesday.
Last weekend, Israeli strikes killed dozens of people at a displaced persons camp in Rafah, intensifying international outrage against the country’s increasingly isolated government. On Tuesday, Ireland, Norway and Spain formally recognized the state of Palestine, while several other European countries are considering similar steps. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council will debate Sunday’s attack on Rafah, which the Israeli prime minister called a “tragic accident”.
SIGNALS
Civilian deaths could force Israel into a ceasefire
The civilian deaths in Rafah could force Israel to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas even without a hostage deal, Haaretz military analyst Amos Harel noted. However, Qatar, a mediator in the currently stalled ceasefire negotiations, has warned that the strikes could hamper discussions on an end to the nearly eight-month war. Cairo, another instrumental ceasefire mediator, has said it will continue working on the talks even as Israeli-Egyptian ties have plummeted following the death of an Egyptian soldier along the border, The National reported.
Israel argues that the ICJ ruling is not a blanket ban
In a historic emergency measure, the International Court of Justice on Friday ordered Israel to immediately halt its operations in Rafah. But Israel claims the order does not apply to Israel: Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi told local media that the ICJ order calls on Israel not to commit genocide in Rafah and claimed the ruling therefore did not prevent the country from operate the city. “We have not committed genocide and we will not commit genocide,” Hanegbi said. “Under international law, we have the right to defend ourselves and the evidence is that the court does not prevent us from continuing to defend ourselves.”
