Canada, Australia and New Zealand urge a ceasefire in Gaza – DW – 02/15/2024

Australia, Canada On Thursday (02/15/2024), New Zealand called for an “immediate ceasefire on humanitarian grounds” in Gaza, according to a joint statement signed in response to reports about the military operation planned by Israel. Israel In the city of Rafah, south of the governorate tape.

He said, “We are very concerned about indications that Israel is planning to launch a ground attack in Rafah.” The military operation in Rafah will be disastrous. The joint statement issued by Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese (Australia), Justin Trudeau (Canada), and Christopher Luxon (New Zealand) stated that “about 1.5 million Palestinians are seeking refuge in this area.”

The text adds, “An expanded military operation would be devastating. We urge the Israeli government not to follow this path. There is simply nowhere else for civilians to go.” He stressed that “there is an urgent need for an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu She confirmed on Wednesday that she would continue the attack against the terrorist movement agitation In Rafah, the last refuge for displaced Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip, after this was permitted To evacuate civilians from the area.

The tripartite statement urges the Israeli government not to carry out the attack, although it notes that the ceasefire cannot be “unilateral.” He urges Hamas to disarm and release him immediately For all hostages still under his authority.

The leaders also say that the International Court of Justice's ruling last January in the “genocide” complaint filed by South Africa obligates Israel to protect civilians and provide them with basic services and basic humanitarian aid.

“The protection of civilians is of the utmost importance and is a requirement of international humanitarian law,” the statement said. He concludes that “Palestinian civilians cannot be forced to pay the price for the defeat of Hamas.”

JS (Reuters, AFP)