Human Rights Concern in Israel/Palestine: Joe Bidden calls for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza which has claimed more than 200 lives within a week amidst Israeli forces and Palestine Militants violence.
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Since the 11th of May 2021, at least 212 people have been killed in Gaza and at least 10 in Israel following the escalating conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinian Militants as of 18 May 2021. The Israeli Forces have continued to with their airstrikes while the Palestinian militants continue to fire rockets into Israel. At least 3,000 rockets have been fired into Israel during the past week.
The escalation which started on 10 May resulted from the long conflicting interest of Palestine and Israel and weeks of demonstrations amid rising tensions in Jerusalem. Hundreds of Palestinians were reportedly injured in a police raid on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, one of the holiest sites in Islam by the Israeli police on Monday the 11th. On the same day, the Palestinian Militants responded by firing rockets towards Jerusalem and Israel responded with airstrikes.
The international community has continued to call for a cessation of hostilities amidst the loss of lives and property destruction. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterated that Israel’s bombardment would continue despite mounting global pressure to stop the bloody attacks. In a televised address on Sunday 16 May, the prime minister said that the Israeli air raids will continue at “full force” He also wen to reiterates that the military attacks would “take time”. And that Israel “wants to levy a heavy price” on Hamas.
The United States earlier reportedly block the United Nations Security Council Statement condemning the atrocious activities of Israel in Gaza. After a phone conversation with Netanyahu on 17 May 2021, Joe Bidden administration later supported calls for a cessation of hostilities in the region while promising to work with other leaders in the region including the president of Egypt, but did not say whether it should be immediate as it stands with UNSC. The President of the US spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and reiterated his firm support for Israel’s right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks. but at the same time welcomed efforts to address intercommunal violence and to bring calm to Jerusalem. He encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians. While discussing the progress in Israel’s military operations against Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza, He also “expressed his support for a ceasefire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end. The two leaders agreed that they and their teams would remain in close touch.”
Berinyuy Cajetan
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
