Published November 03,2023
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Sweden has urged Israel to abide by its obligations beneath worldwide regulation and chorus from concentrating on areas within the Gaza Strip the place there’s threat of civilian casualties.
Speaking to Anadolu, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom mentioned Israel has a proper to defend itself in opposition to Hamas assaults, however criticized Israeli navy strikes which have focused hospitals and refugee camps in current weeks.
“Of course, Israel has a right to defend itself, but that defense has to be taking place within the framework of international humanitarian law,” Billstrom mentioned.
“That means that you’re not allowed to target civilians, you’re not allowed to target civilian installations, and that has to be emphasized,” he mentioned.
He additionally claimed that Hamas was utilizing folks as human shields in lots of areas.
His feedback got here after a sequence of Israeli airstrikes focused the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. The strikes leveled whole residence buildings and killed and wounded lots of of Palestinian civilians.
The Israeli navy mentioned it was concentrating on a senior Hamas commander who helped plan the Oct. 7 assaults.
Billstrom mentioned each Israel and Palestinian teams must take steps to de-escalate the disaster and create the situations for diplomatic talks.
He mentioned Hamas ought to free Israeli hostages as quickly as doable and contribute to a de-escalation.
“What we need now is de-escalation, a return to negotiations, the avoidance of civilian casualties, and at the end of the day, the establishment of a two-state solution whereby Israel and Palestine, the Israelis and Palestinians, can live together side by side in two states, secure and safe,” he mentioned.
Billstrom additionally mentioned Sweden will enhance its efforts to allow the supply of assist to Palestinian civilians within the Gaza Strip.
The Swedish authorities introduced on Thursday a brand new bundle of humanitarian assist to handle the pressing wants, notably specializing in the wants of girls and kids.
Sweden will give 150 million Swedish krona ($13.5 million) to the World Food Program, the UN Children’s Fund, the UN Population Fund, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in keeping with the federal government.
UN specialists warned on Thursday that “time is running out to prevent genocide and humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza, as Israel’s navy marketing campaign has killed greater than 9,000 Palestinians, together with over 6,000 ladies and youngsters.
Over 32,000 folks have been injured in Israeli assaults, whereas an estimated 1.4 million extra have been displaced.
According to Israeli authorities, greater than 1,500 Israelis have been killed and over 5,400 others injured in Hamas assaults, whereas over 240 folks have been taken as hostages to Gaza.
Source: www.anews.com.tr