Palestine

Another pro-Palestine protest held in Nicosia

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Another pro-Palestine protest held in Nicosia

The latest pro-Palestine protest in Cyprus occurred in Nicosia’s central Eleftheria square on a Saturday. The protest organizers claimed that nearly 27,000 Gazans had been killed by Israel since October 7 of the previous year. They criticized the European Union and other Western powers for choosing to defund the UNRWA after some members were accused of involvement in Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7. The protesters demanded an immediate permanent ceasefire, an end to the blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and for Israel to stop its actions in the West Bank. This protest followed a statement from the Palestinian embassy in Nicosia expressing disappointment with the Cypriot foreign ministry’s description of the genocide charges Israel faces at the International Court of Justice as “inaccurate.” Ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis had referred to the Palestinian casualties as “collateral damage,” which was met with a strong response from ambassador Abdallah Attari. Pro-Palestine protests have also occurred in other Cypriot cities and at British military facilities.

Netanyahu says no Israeli pullout from Gaza until ‘total victory’ achieved

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Hamas is considering a new ceasefire proposal in the war with Israel in Gaza, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his forces will not withdraw until they achieve “total victory.” Israeli commandos disguised as medical workers and Muslim women killed three Palestinian militants in an undercover raid on a hospital in the occupied West Bank. Clashes between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in Gaza have forced more Palestinian residents to flee to safer areas. The ceasefire proposal followed talks in Paris involving CIA Director William Burns, Qatar’s prime minister, the chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, and the head of Egyptian intelligence. Netanyahu said Israel will not compromise on anything less than total victory, which means eliminating Hamas, returning all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel. The raid on the hospital in the West Bank could fuel more intense unrest in the area. The war has created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with much of the area flattened and supplies of food, water, and medicine almost exhausted.

More countries pause funds for UN Palestinian agency; Israel wants it replaced

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More countries pause funds for UN Palestinian agency; Israel wants it replaced

Several countries, including Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Finland, have paused funding for the United Nations’ refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) following allegations that some of its staff were involved in Hamas attacks on Israel. The United States, Australia, and Canada had already paused funding after the allegations. UNRWA has opened an investigation into the employees and severed ties with them. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has called for UNRWA to be replaced and accused the agency of ties to Islamist militants in Gaza. UNRWA provides education, health, and aid services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

South Africa: court ruling against Israel a victory for rule of law

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South Africa: court ruling against Israel a victory for rule of law

The International Court of Justice ruled in favor of South Africa’s request to impose emergency measures against Israel over its military operations in Gaza. The court ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and do more to help civilians. The court has not yet ruled on whether genocide has occurred in Gaza. Israel denies the allegations and says it makes efforts to avoid civilian casualties. South Africa sees the ruling as a victory for international rule of law and hopes Israel will comply with the order. South Africa will continue to protect the rights of Palestinians in Gaza through global governance institutions.