TRANSCRIPT
Israeli authorities have freed a Palestinian medic who went missing in March during an Israeli attack that killed 15 humanitarian workers in Gaza, prompting global outrage.
Asaad Al-Nsasrah, a member of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society [[P-R-C-S]] disappeared on the 23rd of March after Israeli troops opened fire in three incidents near Rafah.
The bodies of 15 emergency workers were later found buried beside their destroyed vehicles.
Israel has not commented on his release but previously said its forces targeted unmarked vehicles in the dark, claiming they had killed six militants allegedly using P-R-C-S ambulances.
Meanwhile, world leaders at the United Nations condemned the worsening crisis in Gaza and the fading prospect of a two-state solution. At the Security Council, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the vision of peace is at risk of disappearing altogether.
"Today the promise of a two-state solution is at risk of dwindling to the point of disappearance. The political commitment to this long-standing goal is farther than it has ever been. As a result, the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security have been undermined, and the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinians have been denied While they endure Israel's continued presence that the International Court of Justice has found unlawful."
Mr Guterres described Gaza’s humanitarian situation as beyond imagination.
He said Israel’s blockade is depriving over two million civilians of food, fuel and medicine.
"The humanitarian situation throughout the Gaza Strip has gone from bad to worse to beyond imagination. For nearly two full months, Israel has blocked food, fuel, medicine and commercial supplies, depriving more than two million people of life-saving relief, while the world watches."
The blockade in Gaza has left families sharing one can of beans and burning plastic to cook their meals, according to the U-N agency for Palestine refugees.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Ambassador to the U-N, Riyad Mansour, criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks dismissing the two-state solution.
"Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered another delusional speech two days ago. He insisted once again that the two-state solution meant the destruction of Israel. He said, and I quote, 'Hamas says we will destroy Israel by terror and military conquest right away, and the PA (Palestinian Authority) says no, you destroy it politically by driving it through propaganda and lawfare to the (19)67 borders,' end of quotation."
This comes as France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, called for immediate action to end the suffering.
"Our first priority is to stop the hostilities, to bring an end to civilian suffering. ... In Gaza unfortunately, war continues. The ceasefire being broken and the resumption of Israeli strikes must shock us. They are a dramatic step back for the Palestinian civilians, for Israeli hostages and their families and for the security of the whole region. There is an urgent need for negotiations to resume and to achieve a lasting ceasefire. We support the mediator's efforts to achieve this. This ceasefire must enable the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages arbitrarily detained by Hamas."
Mr Barrot confirmed that France and Saudi Arabia will co-host an international conference in June to revive the two-state solution roadmap, pushing for recognition of Palestine and normalisation with Israel.
But the pain of the conflict was perhaps most felt far from the U-N floor, at a joint Israeli-Palestinian memorial held in Tel Aviv.
Sayel Jabarin from the Combatants for Peace movement addressed the audience by video link from Beit Jala.
"We are here as Palestinians, watching this ceremony with hearts burdened with pain and wounds. But we stand here today to affirm that our humanity is able to see the pain of the other without turning a blind eye to our own suffering."
Among the speakers was Liat Atzili, an Israeli hostage who spent 54 days in Hamas captivity. She spoke about holding on to her humanity even during her ordeal.
"I realised that even in a situation where I had no control over anything, I still had the choice of what kind of person I would be... A responsibility that is the very embodiment of freedom. That freedom may be a heavy burden, but it's the only thing that can bring peace among people and help build a moral and just society."
Meanwhile. sirens sounded all over Israel at 8pm local time, as Israelis stopped everything, and stood silently with heads bowed for a moment of silence in memory of the dead.
The ceremony is the first of many official ceremonies and smaller events at military cemeteries and memorials across the country being held.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke during Memorial Day commemorations at Jerusalem’s Western Wall.
He called for unity, urging Israelis not to turn against one another.
"This year, perhaps more than ever, the siren’s sound is also a true alarm, commanding us: unite and come together. Do not tear apart from within. Do not destroy our home."
As sirens sounded across Israel to remember the fallen, in Gaza, smoke once again filled the skies
In Jabaliya, heavy Israeli airstrikes were reported overnight.
Juliette Touma from U-N aid agency UNRWA says the blockade is now starving Gaza’s children.
"Imagine not having anything to feed your children. Children in Gaza are going to bed starving. The ill and the sick are not able to get medical care because of shortages in supplies in hospitals and clinics."
The International Court of Justice also began hearings this week into Israel’s obligations to allow humanitarian aid into occupied territories, a legal challenge Israel is refusing to address.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed since the 7th of October, a figure Israel disputes, saying many of the dead were militants.
But the U-N insists the overwhelming majority of casualties are women and children.
Israel says its offensive is aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing the remaining hostages, 59 still in captivity, with only 24 believed to be alive.
