#UNGA convenes today to discuss the situation in the M.E, BUT another UN meeting won't contribute to de-escalation & is counterproductive.
However it's an opportunity for @UN members to condemn Hamas indiscriminate rocket fire & acknowledge Israel's right to defend its citizens.
The full responsibility for this escalation and for those harmed on both sides falls entirely on Hamas and the other terrorist organizations operating in #Gaza.
Since 10 May 2021, more than 4,000 rockets have been launched from the #Gaza Strip towards Israel, directed at civilian population centers throughout the country including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ashkelon and Ashdod, killing 12 and injuring hundreds.
In the UNSC Open Debate (May 16), #UN Special Coordinator @TWennesland stated that Hamas' indiscriminate launching of rockets from highly populated civilian neighborhoods into civilian population centers in Israel violates international humanitarian law.
One of seven rockets fired by Hamas to kill Israelis, LANDS WITHIN #GAZA causing death and destruction to Palestinians from Hamas' own hands.
Hamas has situated its terrorist infrastructure (including launch bases & weapons arsenals), at the heart of #Gaza's civilian population centers, including schools & UN structures.
In doing so, Hamas is using the Palestinian civilian population as human shields.
On Tuesday (18) and Wednesday (19), Hamas has prevented international humanitarian assistance from reaching those who need it in #Gaza, by firing mortars at the shipments.
These actions are further proof of Hamas’ complete disregard for the life & welfare of Palestinians.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Joint announcement from @IsraeliPM and FM @yairlapid:
"The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is a terrorist organization that has murdered thousands of people, including Americans. We refuse to believe that the US would remove its designation as a terrorist organization."
Full remarks:
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards are Hezbollah in Lebanon, they are Islamic Jihad in Gaza, they are the Houthis in Yemen, they are the militias in Iraq.
The IRGC are responsible for attacks on American civilians and American forces throughout the Middle East, including in the past year. The IRGC were behind plans to assassinate senior American government officials.
Deputy Ambassador to Ukraine @YoavBistritsky today transferred to Lviv’s Deputy Mayor, Andriy Moskalenko, six mega-generators that will guarantee a steady supply of electricity to hospitals and vital civilian infrastructure in the city. (1/4)
The generators are transferred by @IsraelMFA via @MASHAVisrael, Israel’s national aid agency, and their arrival to Ukraine was made possible thanks to the intensive activities of several Israeli embassies throughout Europe. (2/4)
Israel’s Ambassador to Ukraine, @michael_brodsk: “Transferring the generators to the city of Lviv will assist the authorities in coping with the difficult humanitarian situation due to the arrival of hundreds of thousands of refugees. (3/4)
Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked announced today that the State of Israel will host about 25,000 citizens of Ukraine. Thread:
In the first and immediate stage, Israel will grant temporary protection from repatriation for approximately 20,000 Ukrainian citizens who were present in Israel before the outbreak of fighting, most of them without any legal status. This will be until the danger subsides.
In addition, it was determined that Israel would grant entry and stay for 5,000 additional Ukrainian citizens who have fled the fighting in their country. Initially, they will be given a temporary visa for three months.
FM @yairlapid in a special statement following his meeting with Secretary of State @SecBlinken in Latvia:
This evening, I met with @SecBlinken & @StateDept staff to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the continuation of joint efforts to stop a brutal and unnecessary war.
The world order is changing before our eyes. We are in a historic moment. In which direction will humanity go: Violence, war, and a return to inter-bloc struggle, or peace, prosperity, and the ability to work together for common goals?
Israel is assisting in the mediation effort together with Germany and France, but we continue to condemn the Russian invasion. There is no justification for violating Ukrainian sovereignty and killing innocent civilians.
The Foreign Ministry established “Matat” (Donation & Coordination Centre) today with the goal of centralising and coordinating humanitarian aid initiatives and donations by Israeli civil society to the Ukrainian people. (1/7)
The initiative will be headed by Ambassador Daniel Meron @AmbMeron, who will serve as a special project manager for connecting Israeli civil society with the State of Israel’s aid efforts and international organizations operating in Ukraine and along its borders. (2/7)
There are already dozens of companies, organizations, and private individuals currently working to transfer various kinds of humanitarian aid from Israel to Ukraine. Following many inquiries from various actors in Israel, it was decided in the Foreign Ministry (3/7)
At the situation assessment held this morning (6/3), Foreign Minister @yairlapid directed the MFA and @MASHAVisrael – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation – to continue four main forms of humanitarian aid:
1⃣A field hospital to be established in Ukraine in the next few days in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Sheba Medical Center & the Clalit Health Fund.
2⃣Ongoing transfer of humanitarian aid according to the needs of the Ukrainian authorities & the surrounding countries.
3⃣Transfer of 6 giant generators to the Lvov Hospital that will enable for continuous operation during power outages.
4⃣Refugee assistance centers (for Jews & non-Jews alike) at border crossings where MFA personnel are stationed, with an emphasis on providing winter equipment.