Palestine will be the first of 52 countries to speak when the ICJ begins six days of hearings to examine the legality of Israel's 57-year occupation.
This is how things stand on Monday, February 19, 2024:
Struggles and humanitarian crisis
- Gaza's Health Ministry said another patient died at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, bringing to eight the death toll since the Israeli army cut off electricity and oxygen supplies.
- Footage verified by Al Jazeera shows hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza City running towards aid trucks before fleeing after Israeli forces opened fire on them.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignored growing calls to stop the military offensive in Gaza and vowed to “finish the job.”
- Israeli airstrikes have continued across Gaza, killing at least 18 people overnight Monday, according to doctors and witnesses.
- World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a WHO team was not allowed to enter Nasser Hospital. In a post on X, he said there are about 200 patients left, including 20 who need urgent referrals elsewhere.
- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said at least 200 fighters surrendered at the hospital. Gaza's Health Ministry said those arrested included 70 medical staff, along with patients, leaving 150 patients without medical care.
- About 80 percent of Gaza's population has been displaced and a quarter faces hunger. Wael Abu Omar, spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority, said 123 aid trucks entered Gaza through the Karem Abu Salem border crossing, also known as Kerem Shalom, on Sunday and four trucks with cooking gas entered through the crossing. Rafah border with Egypt.
Diplomacy
- On Monday, the State of Palestine will be the first of 52 countries to speak when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) begins six days of hearings on Monday.
- This case focuses on the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem since 1967.
- Separately, the United Nations Security Council is expected to vote Tuesday on an Arab-backed resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which the United States has announced it will veto.
- Meanwhile, Norway agreed to act as an intermediary between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the transfer of frozen tax funds.
- On the other hand, US Congressman Robert García expressed his support for a “free and secure” two-state solution and a “lasting ceasefire” in a mail on social networks.
Violence in the occupied West Bank
- The Israeli army attacked the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin, in the occupied West Bank, the Wafa news agency said.
- Israeli forces destroyed property and vehicles, distributed threatening leaflets and arrested at least three Palestinians in home raids, the Wafa news agency reported. Clashes also broke out, with the Israeli army launching smoke bombs.
