Palestine’s Permanent Representative has accused Israel of committing “crimes of aggression, genocide, and ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians. He also pointed to Israel’s blockade on electricity and humanitarian aid, which has exacerbated the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
Palestine has called for an extraordinary session of the Arab League in response to Israel’s renewed airstrikes on Gaza, which have killed more than 400 people and shattered the fragile ceasefire that had been in place since January 19.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has warned that the continued military escalation could lead to broader instability in the region.
Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Muhannad al-Aklouk, confirmed that a formal request had been submitted to convene a special session at the level of permanent representatives.
Al-Aklouk accused Israel of committing “crimes of aggression, genocide, and ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians. He also pointed to Israel’s blockade on electricity and humanitarian aid, which has exacerbated the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
The latest airstrikes, which began early Tuesday, were confirmed by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), who stated that they were targeting Hamas positions in coordination with the Israeli Security Agency (ISA).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later declared that Israel would escalate its offensive and that any further ceasefire negotiations “will take place only under fire.”
UAE Calls for Ceasefire, Warns of Escalation
The UAE has strongly condemned the renewed Israeli strikes on Gaza, warning that continued bombing of civilian areas could trigger wider instability across the region.
In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry urged the international community to push for an immediate ceasefire and to facilitate the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
It also called for the restoration of electricity and the reopening of border crossings to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis.
The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to global peace efforts and stressed the need for diplomatic action to prevent further civilian casualties.
The statement echoed concerns raised by the United Nations, with UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warning that the situation had reached a breaking point.
“Overnight, our worst fears materialised. Airstrikes resumed across the entire Gaza Strip,” Fletcher told the UN Security Council. He urged Israel to lift the blockade on essential aid and commercial supplies, warning that new evacuation orders had left thousands of civilians in extreme fear.
Arab League and Global Pressure Mount on Israel
The anticipated emergency meeting of the Arab League could serve as a platform for regional powers to take a unified stance against Israel’s military actions.
However, analysts note that strong diplomatic pressure from global actors, including the US and European Union, will be necessary to enforce a lasting ceasefire.
With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepening, international organisations have called for immediate de-escalation and greater protection for civilians. Meanwhile, Israel has vowed to continue its operations, setting the stage for further violence in the days ahead.
Israel Denies Role in UN Staffer’s Death
Israel has denied responsibility for a deadly strike on United Nations guesthouses in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, which killed a Bulgarian UN staffer and seriously injured five others. The incident has sparked international condemnation, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling it a violation of international law.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Oren Marmorstein, said a preliminary investigation found “no connection” between Israeli military operations and the strike. However, he confirmed that Israel was investigating the circumstances and had facilitated the evacuation of the victim’s body and the injured, who would receive treatment in Israeli hospitals.
The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which employed the victim, said the facilities targeted were “well known” to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and had been ‘deconflicted’ to ensure their safety. Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS chief, said it was clear that UN personnel were inside at the time.
“This was not an accident, this was an incident,” he said, adding that further details were being gathered.
