Sweden urges Israel to stop attacks in Rafah and respect the ruling of the International Court of Justice

London (MidLand) – Sweden urges Israel to immediately stop military attacks in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, and comply with the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“The ICJ urged Israel to immediately stop military strikes on Rafah considering the humanitarian consequences. The ruling is binding and Sweden and the European Union urge Israel to comply,” Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told Anadolu on Thursday (30/5).

The statement came as Israel continues to bomb Rafah, home to hundreds of thousands of civilians, despite international condemnation.

On May 26, Israel launched an airstrike on a refugee camp in Rafah. The attack killed at least 45 victims, most of whom were women and children.

Israeli tanks were seen in central Rafah for the first time this week, marking a new phase in its brutal offensive in which more than 36,200 Palestinians have been killed and more than 81,700 wounded amid mass destruction and shortages. basic necessities during Israel’s war against Gaza.

“I am very concerned that Israeli tanks have reached the center of Rafah. There is a huge risk that this will lead to further civilian deaths and a worsening of the humanitarian situation,” Billstrom warned.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide also condemned the Israeli attack on Rafah on Wednesday (5/29), saying the situation in the city was “catastrophic and unacceptable.”

“The developments in Rafah are disastrous and unacceptable. We have warned in no uncertain terms about the consequences of attacks against Rafah residents,” Eide said in a statement.

Eide called on the UN Security Council to take responsibility and take action.

“I strongly urge the Security Council to honor its responsibilities and take action. The situation is unbearable, the war must end,” he said.

Icelandic Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Reykjord Gylfadottir called on Israel on Tuesday (5/28) to comply with the International Court of Justice’s order. He called for a ceasefire despite heavy civilian casualties in Rafah.

Gylfadottir told Anadolu he was horrified by reports of civilian casualties in Rafah.

“These people have nowhere to go. We demand compliance with the order of the International Court of Justice, the release of all hostages and for all parties to return to the negotiating table immediately. We need a ceasefire now,” he underlined.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen also said she was devastated by the news arriving from Rafah on the Israeli attack that killed dozens of civilians, including small children.

“Finland has consistently urged Israel to refrain from attacking Rafah, with many people fleeing. “The orders of the International Court of Justice and international humanitarian law must be respected by all parties,” she said via X on Wednesday.

Israel has been accused of genocide by the ICJ. The Court’s provisional ruling orders Tel Aviv to stop acts of genocide and take action to ensure that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

On Tuesday, Norway, Spain and Ireland officially recognized the Palestinian state. This decision was considered historic by many parties.

Source: Anatolia

Read also: Swedish police move students from pro-Palestinian protest camp
Read also: Sweden suspends financial support to UNRWA
Read also: Swedish musicians urge exclusion of Israel from Eurovision Song Contest

Translator: Yashinta Difa Pramudyani
Publisher: Atman Ahdiat
Copyright © MidLand 2024