Israeli Army: Fighting in Khan Yunis continues – Armed individuals killed
Saturday, January 27, 4:43 PM: According to Israel’s army, the fighting in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip continues. Three Palestinians were reportedly killed in an airstrike, who had placed explosives near Israeli forces, the military announced on Saturday. Soldiers also killed “numerous armed terrorists at close range.” In another incident in the largest city in the southern part of the coastal enclave, seven individuals fired rocket-propelled grenades at the army. They were also attacked and killed.
Due to the intense fighting, thousands reportedly fled Khan Yunis in recent days. The city is considered a stronghold of the Islamist Hamas. Israel suspects the leadership of the terrorist organization and Israeli hostages in the tunnel network beneath the area.
Due to the high number of casualties and the immense suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, there has been widespread international criticism of the army’s actions. The trigger for the conflict was the brutal massacre carried out by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7 last year in Israel.
Hamas and other extremist groups still sporadically launch rockets towards Israel. According to the military, rocket alerts were activated again in southern Israeli towns on Saturday. According to Israeli media reports, a projectile landed outside the Israeli town of Sderot, which is near the Gaza Strip.
UN Chief reminds about the binding effect after the Gaza War ruling
9:00 PM: Following the decision of the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the Gaza War, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reminded that the decisions of the ICJ are binding. All parties must adhere to the court’s ruling, Guterres said on Friday in New York, according to the statement. Among other things, the decision calls for Israel to better protect the civilian population in its military operations in the Gaza Strip. As required by the regulations, Guterres will now inform the UN Security Council accordingly.
The highest court of the United Nations had previously identified the threat of genocide in the Gaza Strip. However, the judges only partially granted an urgent application from South Africa, which had demanded an immediate cessation of Israel’s military actions. Israel must now take protective measures to prevent genocide and allow more humanitarian aid. The court has not yet made a final decision on the main charge of genocide. The proceedings could still drag on for years.
The trigger for the Gaza War was the brutal massacre by terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7 in Israel. More than 1200 people, including at least 850 civilians, were killed on the Israeli side. Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. Its actions have been heavily criticized internationally due to the high number of casualties and the immense suffering of the civilian population.
UN Court: Israel required to enable humanitarian assistance to Gaza Strip
2:00 PM: The International Court of Justice did not compel Israel to end its military operation in the Gaza Strip. However, the highest court of the United Nations instructed Israel on Friday in The Hague to take more protective measures for Palestinians.
Decision in the genocide case: Israel at the UN Court
Friday, January 26, 7:49 AM:
Amid the intense clashes in the Gaza Strip, a preliminary decision in the sensitive genocide case against Israel is expected to be made this Friday by the International Court of Justice in The Hague. This decision will not yet concern the main accusation of genocide, but rather an urgent request for protective measures for the Palestinians. This urges the UN judges to order Israel to immediately cease military actions in the Gaza Strip.
The decisions made by the Court are binding. Even though it does not have the means to enforce them, a reprimand from the highest UN court would still be a blow to Israel. International pressure on Israel would likely increase. The judges can also order Israel to report on measures taken to protect the Palestinians, which would also have a significant impact.
South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel at the end of December, accusing the country of violating the Genocide Convention. This marks the first time that Israel has had to face a genocide accusation at the UN Court. During the hearing at the Peace Palace in The Hague about two weeks ago, Israel’s representative strongly rejected the accusations. “Israel is at war with Hamas, but not with the Palestinian people,” said Tal Becker, legal advisor to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Israel also rejected the demand to end the military operation, arguing that it would deny the country the right to self-defense.
Hamas accuses Israel of killing Palestinians waiting for aid
8:14 PM: According to the radical Islamic group Hamas, 20 civilians waiting for humanitarian aid at a crossroads in the Gaza Strip were killed in Israeli attacks. Additionally, 150 Palestinians were injured, as stated by the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health on Thursday. The Israeli army did not initially comment on the allegations. However, they refuted UN reports that Israel had instructed refugees to evacuate a previously targeted UN shelter.
The shelling of the Palestinians waiting for aid occurred on the outskirts of Gaza, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health. The Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by the US and the EU, described it as a “terrible war crime.” Eyewitnesses also told the AFP news agency that they had been attacked by Israeli soldiers.
“The people went to get food and flour because they have nothing to eat,” said Abu Ata Basal, the uncle of one of the injured. “Suddenly tanks appeared and opened fire on people.” Mohammed al-Rifi, who was injured in the hand and leg, said, “We were on our way to get flour, and they shot at us four times.”
According to reports, the victims were taken to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. There, an AFP journalist saw several bodies and injured individuals. The Israeli army did not initially respond to the AFP’s request for comment.
The incident occurred just a day after at least twelve people were killed and 75 others were injured in a UN shelter for internally displaced people in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip due to tank shelling, according to UN reports. The shelling drew international criticism. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken once again urged Israel on Thursday to protect civilians during military operations in the Gaza Strip. The UN shelter is “important and must be protected.”
The Israeli army stated that they are investigating the incident at the UN shelter, including whether the shelling was from “Hamas fire”. At the same time, the Israeli military rejected the claims made by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) andBetroffenen zurück, nachdem die Bewohner der Unterkunft aufgefordert wurden, das Gelände zu verlassen.
Die israelische Armee hat eine Frist bis Freitag 17.00 Uhr (Ortszeit, 16.00 Uhr MEZ) für die Evakuierung der Bewohner der Unterkunft gesetzt, in der angeblich tausende Flüchtlinge untergebracht sind, sagte eine Sprecherin der UNRWA der Nachrichtenagentur AFP. Diese Behauptung wurde von der israelischen Armee zurückgewiesen. Es wurde erklärt, dass keine spezifische Evakuierungsaufforderung ausgesprochen wurde.
Am Donnerstag wurde Chan Junis laut einem AFP-Journalisten erneut heftig bombardiert. Viele Einwohner versuchten, die Stadt zu verlassen. Die israelische Armee teilte mit, dass mehrere militante Palästinenser bei Auseinandersetzungen getötet wurden.
Der Konflikt zwischen Israel und der von den USA und der EU als Terrororganisation eingestuften Hamas wurde durch deren Angriff auf Israel am 7. Oktober ausgelöst. Hamas-Kämpfer sollen laut israelischen Berichten etwa 1200 Menschen getötet und rund 240 Menschen als Geiseln in den Gazastreifen verschleppt haben.
Als Reaktion auf den Angriff startete Israel einen umfangreichen Militäreinsatz in dem Palästinensergebiet. Laut den neuesten Angaben der Hamas, die nicht unabhängig überprüft werden können, wurden seit Beginn der israelischen Offensive mindestens 25.900 Menschen im Gazastreifen getötet.
Die internationalen Bemühungen um ein Ende des Konflikts oder zumindest um eine Feuerpause und die Freilassung der Geiseln haben am Donnerstag einen Rückschlag erlitten. Das Außenministerium Katars, einer der wichtigsten Vermittlerstaaten, äußerte sich „bestürzt“ über die Äußerungen des israelischen Regierungschefs Benjamin Netanjahu.
Netanjahu soll bei einem Treffen mit Familien der Geiseln laut einer Tonaufzeichnung, die dem israelischen Sender 12 vorliegt, gesagt haben, er danke Katar nicht für dessen Vermittlerrolle, da das Emirat „noch problematischer“ sei als die Vereinten Nationen oder das Rote Kreuz. Laut Netanjahu hat Katar die Möglichkeit, Druck auf die islamistische Palästinenserorganisation Hamas auszuüben, da es sie finanziert.
Das Außenministerium in Doha nannte Netanjahus Äußerungen „verantwortungslos und schädlich für die Bemühungen, unschuldige Leben zu retten“. Sie würden den Vermittlungsprozess untergraben, um Netanjahus „politischer Karriere mehr zu dienen“ als den „israelischen Geiseln“.
Alle Entwicklungen zum Angriffskrieg in Israel finden Sie auf den nächsten Seiten.
