Flooding Gaza would be war crime – Russia.
Summary
Russia’s Deputy Representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, stated that if Israel were to flood the underground tunnels in Gaza with seawater, it would be considered a war crime. China, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting due to the deteriorating situation in Gaza following Israel’s military operations. Polyansky explained that such flooding would be indiscriminate and contaminate Gaza’s groundwater, making the area uninhabitable.
Additionally, documents suggest that Israel may want to move Gaza’s Palestinian population to Egypt. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas after they attacked Israeli settlements in October, resulting in many casualties. Since then, thousands of Palestinians have died in Israeli operations in Gaza.
Polyansky criticized Israel for a more aggressive phase of its operation, which he deemed as indiscriminate and in violation of humanitarian law. He argued that the prior Hamas raid couldn’t justify Israeli actions. He also expressed doubt that the International Criminal Court would take action against Israel.
Read the article on RT.
Echoes of the Nakba.
Understanding the Ongoing Palestinian Struggle and the Quest for Peace.
Recent events in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict demand attention, especially regarding how they affect the Palestinian people. There are growing concerns that Israel’s recent actions might be part of a strategy to reduce the Palestinian population in the area, which some might view as ethnic cleansing.
This situation isn’t new. Going back to the Arab-Israeli war, there’s a pattern of the native Arab population in present-day Israel being forced to leave their homes. When they tried to come back after the war, they faced strong opposition, and many ended up as refugees in their own land. Although international intervention eventually allowed some to return, they were not treated as equals or recognized as Israeli citizens.
A striking example of this hardship was during the “Nakba” in 1948, when over 750,000 Palestinians were driven from their homes. Al Jazeera shares a personal account of Muhammad Haninun, who was displaced during this time, highlighting the continued struggle and desire for return among Palestinians (Al Jazeera, 2023)11.
Today’s issues, like the proposal to flood Gaza tunnels and the ongoing displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, raise serious concerns about their rights and well-being. It’s important to see this conflict as a complex issue with deep historical and political roots.
In my view, it’s critical to address these matters and work towards a peaceful solution that respects everyone’s rights and dignity. The international community has a vital role to play in this, facilitating dialogue and actions that lead to a fair and just future for all those impacted by this long-standing conflict. The story of people like Haninun is a powerful reminder of the human costs of this conflict and the urgent need for solutions that respect human rights and dignity for everyone involved.
Reference:
- Al Jazeera. “For Displaced Palestinians in Syria, Israel War Evokes Nakba and Solidarity.” Al Jazeera, 12 Nov. 2023, www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/11/12/for-displaced-palestinians-in-syria-israel-war-evokes-nakba-and-solidarity. ↩︎
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