In the aftermath of the Israeli airstrike on a UN-run school in Gaza, which claimed at least 40 lives, including 14 children and 9 women, international calls for transparency and accountability have intensified. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack as a ‘new example of the heavy price paid by civilians’ and stressed the inviolability of UN premises during conflicts. The United States, via State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, has urged Israel to be forthcoming about the details of the strike, particularly with respect to the reported deaths of children. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, echoed these sentiments, advocating for an independent probe into the incident.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amidst growing diplomatic isolation and facing accusations of war crimes, is scheduled to address the US Congress on July 24. This comes as Israel has officially rejected US President Joe Biden’s ceasefire proposal with Hamas, with the militant group also dismissing the proposal as lacking in substance. The ongoing conflict, which has seen a significant Palestinian death toll, has put Israel under increasing scrutiny, with some European countries recognizing a Palestinian state and the International Criminal Court announcing intentions to seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders.The situation remains volatile, with no official response from Hamas to Biden’s ceasefire plan, which includes a six-week truce and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. As the death toll rises and diplomatic efforts continue, the world watches closely for any signs of a breakthrough that could bring an end to the hostilities.
Key points
- The UN and the US demand transparency from Israel over the Gaza school airstrike that killed at least 40 people.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to address US Congress amid war crimes accusations and diplomatic isolation.
- Hamas has yet to officially respond to President Biden’s ceasefire proposal.
- The International Criminal Court plans to seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders.
Contradictions👾While the US and EU call for transparency and an independent investigation into the Gaza school airstrike, Israel has not yet provided detailed information about the incident.
