One million Palestinians fled Rafah in past three weeks: UNRWA
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China has expressed grave concern over the Israeli massacre in Rafah, with Canada sharing a similar sentiment and calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
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Palestinians search debris after an Israeli strike on a school run by UNRWA, the UN agency helping Palestinian refugees, in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (AP)
Around one million Palestinians have had to flee Rafah in the past three weeks, the United Nations Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) said today.
UNRWA stressed that the displacement from Rafah "happened with nowhere safe to go and amidst bombardments, lack of food and water, piles of waste and unsuitable living conditions."
The agency emphasized that providing assistance and protection is becoming nearly "impossible".
This comes as the Israeli occupation forces committed a new massacre against dozens of displaced persons by bombing their tents set up in UNRWA warehouses in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, an alleged safe zone on the evening of May 26.
The Government Media Office reported that the Israeli occupation committed a horrific massacre through the concentrated and deliberate bombing of a center for the forcibly displaced, established in UNRWA premises in the northwest of Rafah Governorate. The center was bombed with more than seven missiles and large bombs, each weighing more than 2000 pounds of explosives.
According to the Office, this violent bombing led to the martyrdom of dozens and caused numerous injuries, some of which are very serious, indicating a confirmed rise in the number of martyrs from this massacre.
China expressed 'grave concern' over the massacre
China expressed today "grave concern" over "Israel's" assault in Rafah.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China "expresses its grave concern over the ongoing Israeli military operations in Rafah."
China also said that it "strongly urges Israel to listen to the appeals of the international community and to stop its attacks on Rafah."
Canada has called for a ceasefire
Canada said it was "horrified" by the strikes that killed Palestinians in Rafah, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a social media post on May 27, further urging for an immediate ceasefire.
She added that Canada does not support an "Israeli military operation in Rafah."
Nous sommes horrifiés par les frappes qui ont tué des civils palestiniens à Rafah.
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) May 27, 2024
Le Canada ne soutient pas une opération militaire israélienne à Rafah.
Ce niveau de souffrance humaine doit cesser.
Nous exigeons un cessez-le-feu immédiat.
In a different statement at the House of Commons, Joly said, "The images coming out of Rafah are horrific and heartbreaking."
"The killing of innocent civilians is completely unacceptable. The level of human suffering is catastrophic. That is why we need an immediate ceasefire," she emphasized.
The Israeli massacre against Rafah came only days after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered "Israel" on May 24 to immediately halt its military assault on Rafah in southern Gaza.
The court also ordered the occupation to open the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza so that humanitarian supplies may enter, as well as to enable access to the besieged enclave for investigators, and to report back on its progress within one month.
