Israel has once again hit Jabalia refugee camp in its renewed carnage in the Gaza strip.
Residential blocks and neighbourhoods in the Jabalia refugee camp were targeted.
A Gaza health ministry spokesperson said that several people were killed by the Israeli airstrike on biggest refugee camp in the besieged enclave.
Local media reported, “A residential square containing at least 300 people, half of whom are children, was just completely flattened to the ground.”
Several homes were targeted at once, leaving tens of people killed and more buried under the rubble.
Footage from the ground showed massive destruction and people carrying the dead and wounded away.
According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, 15,523 people have died in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war with Israel.
Health ministry Spokesperson, Ashraf al-Qudra stated that seventy percent of the Palestinians killed in the war are women and children.
He added that 41,316 people have been wounded.
“During the past hours, only 316 dead and 664 wounded were removed from debris and taken to hospitals, but many others are still under the rubble,” al-Qudra said.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis noted that it is “painful” to see the truce between Israel and Hamas broken.
He also said that he is thinking about the people still held hostage in Gaza, and the lack of basic necessities in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.
Francis, who is suffering from a lung inflammation, had his words read by an aide during his Sunday Angelus message, which he delivered indoors from his Vatican residence rather than by a window overlooking St Peter’s Square.
“I hope that all those involved may reach a new ceasefire agreement as soon as possible and find solutions other than weapons, trying to take courageous paths to peace.”
Pope Francis
ICC Chief Tells Israel And Hamas To Obey International Law
The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Chief Prosecutor called on Israel and Hamas to abide by international law.
He said that his office would “further intensify its efforts to advance its investigations” into potential war crimes.
Speaking after a four-day visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank, Karim Khan said, “All actors must comply with international humanitarian law.”
Khan added, “If you do not do so, do not complain when my office is required to act.”
Khan was also adamant that humanitarian aid must immediately enter the besieged enclave under international law.
“Civilians must have access to basic food, water and desperately needed medical supplies, without further delay, and at pace and at scale,” he said, adding that Hamas must not misuse such aid.
In a written statement issued after his visit, Khan noted that he witnessed “scenes of calculated cruelty” at locations of the October 7 attacks.
“The attacks against innocent Israeli civilians on 7 October represent some of the most serious international crimes that shock the conscience of humanity, crimes which the ICC was established to address,” he said, adding that he and his prosecutors are working “to hold those responsible to account.”
He added that he is ready to engage with local prosecutors in line with the principle of complementarity.
The ICC is a court of last resort set up to prosecute war crimes when local courts cannot or will not take action.
Khan also visited Palestinian officials in Ramallah, including the President, Mahmoud Abbas.
In as much as international concern over the resumed war in Gaza rises, the White House noted that Israel is “making an effort” to minimise civilian deaths in Gaza.
“We believe they have been receptive to our messages here of trying to minimalise civilian casualties,” U.S National Security Council Spokesman, John Kirby said, noting the online publication of a map of places where Gazans could go to find safety.
Kirby averred, “There’s not a whole lot of modern militaries that would do that … to telegraph their punches in that way. So they are making an effort.”
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