In the midst of an escalation of the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, attacks have intensified in both the north and south of the territory. Israeli tanks entered the Jabalia refugee camp, the largest enclave in the area, while in the far south, Rafah has been the target of intense shelling, leading to the evacuation of civilians from two areas in the west of the city. According to the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), around 360,000 people have fled the city in the last week due to increased violence.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has strongly condemned the war in Gaza, calling Israeli tactics a “horrible loss of innocent civilian life” that has failed to neutralize Hamas. Blinken urged that Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza and called for credible plans for the security and governance of the territory after the conflict.
In another context, the United Nations (UN) has condemned the death of a UN worker in Gaza due to an Israeli bombing. Secretary-General António Guterres urged a thorough investigation into the attack, while complaints continue about the high number of civilian victims and humanitarian workers.
Meanwhile, Egypt warned Blinken about the “serious threat” from Israeli operations in Rafah, highlighting the risks to regional security and stability. In a gesture of solidarity with Palestine, Spain has requested UN support for a peace conference on Palestine, while the Maldives will join South Africa in denouncing Israel for “genocide” before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). accusing Israel of violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Israel celebrates Independence Day in a context of mourning and pain due to Hamas attack
Israel has begun the commemorations of Independence Day, its 76th anniversary, in an atmosphere of “enormous pain and loss,” in the words of President Isaac Herzog. This year, the festivities are overshadowed by the memory of the attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, which left 1,200 people dead and more than 200 kidnapped, of whom 128 remain in captivity in Gaza, according to Israeli authorities.
The day, usually festive, has been transformed into a succession of solemn events to remember the massacre. The traditional lighting of torches, carried out by soldiers, doctors and civilians who saved lives during the attack, took place in communities bordering Gaza and was broadcast in a pre-recorded video without an audience, emphasizing its solemn nature.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a pre-recorded message with a military tone, declared: “This is no ordinary Independence Day. The war continues. “They imposed it on us on a black day of horrific massacre.”
Regular festivities, such as the Air Force parade, have been canceled this year. Instead, a brief flyover took place after two minutes of silence in memory of the fallen soldiers. Netanyahu, in a meeting with torchbearers, reaffirmed Israel’s determination in its offensive against Gaza: “We will defeat our enemies, we have no other option.”