New York/Jerusalem: In eye of the storm after China as well as Palestine accused the USA of coming on the way of the United Nations Security Council from speaking in one voice on Israel conflict, President Joe Biden called up Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 19 to convey that he expected “a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire”.
However, despite the pressure from Biden, Netanyahu reportedly said today that he was “determined” to continue the operations in Gaza. A local channel today reported Israeli security officials saying the US pressure to reach a ceasefire quickly was only “pushing off” the possibility of a truce. The officials said the fight in the Gaza Strip might not cease before Friday,
Fierce battle continues in Israel and Biden called up to have a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States, among other things.
Also read: “Shame on the Security Council” – Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine
In the meantime, Israel’s foreign ministry also accused the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, of spreading lies after the latter had accused Israel of preventing humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip, the Foreign Ministry lashes out.
“During the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza yesterday, via Kerem Shalom crossing, Hamas deliberately bombed the crossing, resulting in the death of two civilians, and over 10 injured, including an IDF soldier,” it said and claimed that today yet again, Hamas’s barrage of mortars halted the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza. “
“UNRWA’s claim that Israel is preventing humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza is a cynical misrepresentation and simply a lie. “This is not the first time UNRWA has chosen to twist the facts and misrepresent events, for the sole purpose of blaming Israel… Israel will continue its efforts to coordinate the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza, taking into account security considerations,” it said.
Just a day before the Biden-Netanyahu talks, UNICEF too came out with figures that in Gaza, at least 60 children had been killed and another 444 had been injured in less than 10 days. It stated that while on one hand nearly 30,000 children had been displaced, on the other, an estimated 250,000 children needed mental health and protection services. At least four health facilities and 40 schools have been damaged. Some 48 schools – most of them run by UNRWA – were being used as emergency shelters for families seeking refuge from the violence.
“The already weakened water and sanitation systems have been further compromised as a result of this latest escalation. Essential infrastructure – including groundwater wells and reservoirs, desalination and wastewater plants, water delivery networks and pumping stations – have sustained significant damage. We estimate that 325,000 people need emergency water and sanitation services, without which they are more likely to contract potentially deadly infectious diseases,” UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said. She pointed out that electricity output across Gaza had dropped by roughly 60 per cent, leaving hospitals increasingly dependent on generators for the provision of essential healthcare services. “These generators require significant amounts of fuel to function. Any reduction in health care capacity could also jeopardize treatment for those with COVID-19,” she warned.
– gllobal bihari bureau
