Israel’s ground invasion of Rafah: Live updates
The besieged city in southern Gaza currently hosts 1.4 million Palestinians displaced from other parts of the enclave
10 May 2024
16:53 GMT
At the UN General Assembly, Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan takes to the podium and uses a paper shredder to destroy the UN Charter, moments prior to a pivotal vote aimed at expanding Palestinian privileges within the UN framework.
15:37 GMT
The UN General Assembly passed a resolution on Friday granting Palestine new “rights and privileges,” with 143 votes in favor, nine against, and 25 abstentions. In addition, the resolution acknowledges Palestine’s aspiration to join as a 194th member. Palestine’s membership application will be presented to the UN Security Council for further consideration. Despite broad backing from the General Assembly, the last Palestinian bid to the Security Council was vetoed by the United States last month, and the US is expected to repeat its veto.
13:58 GMT
Belgium’s VRT channel interrupted its broadcast of the Eurovision semi-finals contest on Thursday night to deliver a protest message condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza. The act was organized by the trade union.
“We condemn the human rights violations of the Israeli state. Additionally, Israel is destroying press freedom…we are taking a temporary break from our broadcast. Now, ceasefire,” said the message in Flemish.
A spokesperson for the broadcaster told Belgian media that they were aware that the action would take place.
Israeli representative Eden Golan participated in the semi-finals and got qualified for the final of the song contest that is being hosted in Swedish city of Malmo.
Eurovision resisted calls to eject Israel, as was done with Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. Though Israel was asked to modify the lyrics of the song October Rain, with the original containing apparent references to the Hamas attack on October 7.
13:57 GMT
Israel’s war cabinet unanimously approves expansion of operation in Rafah, Kan and I24 report
13:37 GMT
Israeli tanks captured the main road between the eastern and western parts of Rafah on Friday, thus encircling the entire eastern side of the city, Reuters reports. The IDF’s advance to Salahuddin road has completed the siege of the red zone, an area where the military has ordered an evacuation. Hamas has said it attacked Israeli tanks near a mosque in the east of Rafah.
“It is not safe, all of Rafah isn’t safe as tank shells have landed everywhere, since yesterday,” Abu Hassan, a local resident, told the news agency, adding that the Israeli army targets not only the east but the whole city.
13:33 GMT
A large-scale Israeli ground offensive in Rafah would lead to an “epic humanitarian disaster,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday during a visit to Kenya. The situation in the Gazan city is “on a knife edge” and such an operation would prevent the organization’s efforts to support people as “famine looms,” he added.
“We are actively engaged with all involved for the resumption of the entry of life-saving supplies – including desperately needed fuel – through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings,” he said.
13:09 GMT
Protesters in Tel Aviv, including dozens of relatives of those who remain in Hamas captivity, took to the streets on Thursday night to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a new hostage deal.
https://www.rt.com/news/597331-israel-gaza-rafah-palestinians/