GAZA — At least 61 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed and 220 injured in Israeli attacks across Gaza in the past 24 hours, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry, Al Jazeera reports.
Leaflets were dropped over al-Wehda Street and near the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, demanding immediate evacuation southward. Overnight, Israeli drones carried out demolition blasts in northwestern neighbourhoods, while quadcopter drones hovered low and fired at homes in Tel al-Hawa and other districts, according to reports.
The Israeli army has issued a new forced evacuation order for a school in Gaza City, which shelters hundreds of displaced Palestinians who fled their homes in its eastern parts.
Israel continues its attack on Gaza as support grows for Palestinian state not only from Arab countries but from Western countries also. The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada on Sunday formally recognised the State of Palestine, reviving global debate over the long-standing two-state solution.
France and Saudi Arabia are due to convene dozens of world leaders to rally support for a two-state solution, with several of them expected to formally recognise a Palestinian state – a move that could draw harsh Israeli and US responses.
France is prepared to recognise a Palestinian state as the UN’s centerpiece diplomatic week gets underway, following a rash of Western governments in symbolicly endorsing statehood and sparking Israel’s wrath.
President Emmanuel Macron has indicated France will follow suit as he prepares to host a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman on the moribund two-state solution — Palestinian and Israeli coexistence.
Germany on Monday said it remains committed to its “goal” of supporting the creation of an independent Palestinian state, but refused to recognise statehood—for now.
“A Palestinian state is our goal. We support the two-state solution. There is no other way. This, however, must be achieved through negotiations. No one should pursue a policy of forcing their way through a wall at this point,” Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told the press in Berlin ahead of his visit to New York, where he will attend the 80th UN General Assembly meeting.
“The path of understanding, reconciliation, and negotiations remains the difficult, arduous middle path. But the Federal Republic of Germany stands for this. However remote it may be at this moment, a negotiated two-state solution is the path that can enable Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace, security, and dignity,” he added.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also defended his government’s decision to recognise the state of Palestine after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the move as “an absurd prize for terrorism.”
“Australia has put forward a position in recognising Palestine consistent with what has been a longtime bipartisan position in Australia. We support a two-state solution,” he said, speaking to reporters at the UN in New York.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 65,344 people and 166,795 injured since October 7, 2023. Thousands more are believed to be buried under the rubble. — Agencies
