Israel and Hamas bombardment continues despite international appeals

A few hours before the United Nations Security Council meeting, the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas continues. This new episode of confrontation between the Israeli army and the Palestinian militias will be discussed at this meeting, which has been called urgently. The 15 members of the Security Council have already met in secret this week, but have not issued a final statement due to US opposition. According to AFP, Washington reportedly considered what was suggested by the other states to be "insufficient".

"Obama allowed a UN Security Council resolution on Israel's illegal settlements to be adopted, but now, with new abuse and violence, the Biden administration has slowed down a Security Council statement it considers too unfavourable to Israel," said Kenneth Roth, director of Human Rights Watch. For his part, Biden has attempted to take a mediating role in the conflict by communicating with both sides, but, unsurprisingly, from a more Israeli perspective. The US president has held telephone conversations with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, to whom he insisted that Hamas must stop attacks on Israel. He also expressed "his strong commitment to a negotiated two-state solution as the best path to a just resolution of the conflict".

His predecessor, Donald Trump, also declared his commitment to the pursuit of peace in the region. However, with his so-called "Deal of the Century" plan, the big winner would be Israel, which would gain sovereignty over Palestinian territories. "It is not a peace plan because it does not meet the classic definition of a peace agreement due to the fact that one part is missing", Haizam Amirah-Fernández, senior researcher for the Mediterranean and the Arab world at the Elcano Royal Institute, told RTVE. 

Biden, despite his attempts to dissociate himself from Trump's foreign policy, is following the line set by the Republican president. In his phone call with Benjamin Netanyahu, Washington conveyed its 'strong support' for Israel's right to defend itself against attacks by 'Hamas and other terrorist groups'.

Unlike Biden, the UN has condemned Israel's actions. The UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People has reiterated an "end to all illegal Israeli practices, including settlement activities, house demolitions, evictions and all other acts of collective punishment against the Palestinian civilian population". Several European countries that are currently members of the Security Council have also expressed their disapproval of the actions in Gaza. They also criticise the body's inaction in the face of the violence. "Ireland is disappointed that the Security Council has failed to take responsibility," said Ireland's UN ambassador Byrne Nason. "It should call for de-escalation and condemn violence against civilians.

While the international community discusses how to address the Israeli-Palestinian issue, violence in Gaza and Israel continues. As part of its military offensive on Gaza against Hamas targets, the Hebrew army has demolished a 14-storey building. This tower was the headquarters of international media such as the Associated Press and Al Jazeera, among others. The Israeli army warned the building's residents that they had only one hour to evacuate the tower, according to local journalists. The IDF said the building "contained military assets belonging to Hamas military intelligence". Mostefa Souag, editor of the Qatari media, recalls that "the attack on a building housing international media is a flagrant violation of human rights and a war crime".

During the early hours of Sunday morning the air strikes have not ceased. Media such as Reuters and Al Jazeera have reported that the Israeli army has bombed the house of the head of Hamas in Gaza, Yehya al-Sinwar.

The Ezzedim al-Qassam brigades, the military wing of the Islamist organisation, have claimed responsibility for firing several rockets at Tel Aviv and other places in central Israel. According to the Jerusalem Post, one man is reported to have been killed by a rocket. 

On the occasion of Nakba Day and the latest developments in Gaza, thousands of people around the world took to the streets in solidarity with Palestinian citizens. During the demonstrations, which have taken place in various parts of the world, there have also been calls for a cessation of hostilities and the establishment of peace in the area. The main streets of European capitals such as Madrid, London and Berlin were filled with people carrying Palestinian flags. In Paris, despite government bans, marches in support of the Palestinians were also organised. French security forces used tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators. 

US cities such as New York, Boston and Washington also joined the peace protests. Since the confrontation between Israel and Hamas began almost a week ago, marches have been organised in the US capital calling for an end to the violence. Some of these rallies have also included Jewish citizens condemning Israel's actions and calling for peace for the Palestinians.

In the Middle East, people have also turned out in support of the Palestinians, demonstrating once again that the Palestinian issue is a problem that concerns the entire Arab world. Lebanese demonstrators gathered near the border with Israel, throwing Molotov cocktails and stones at the border fence.