Source Credit: AL JAZEERA
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order authorising economic and travel sanctions against individuals involved in International Criminal Court (ICC) investigations of US citizens or US allies—including Israel. In a related development, Egypt warned that Trump’s plan to displace millions of Palestinians from Gaza would “incite a return of fighting,” while Jordan cautioned that the proposal could spread chaos in the Middle East and jeopardise its peace with Israel.
Hospital Update - Al-Shifa Hospital Report
- Al-Shifa Hospital, once a busy public health facility, now lies in ruins.
- Rehabilitation work is ongoing in one section, which has been repurposed as a basic morgue to serve as a transfer point for patients needing further care.
Patient Evacuation - Critical Medical Transfers
- Reports confirm that 49 critically ill patients have been evacuated through the Rafah crossing.
- This marks the sixth group of patients sent for urgent treatment, although thousands remain in need of medical care that is currently unavailable in Gaza.
Shelter Needs- Urgent Housing for Displaced Families
- An official spokesperson highlighted that severe weather has devastated tents and makeshift shelters.
- The call for assistance stressed that an estimated 120,000 tents or equivalent housing units are urgently needed to protect displaced Palestinian families from harsh conditions.
Intelligence and Military Reaction - Intelligence Reprimand
- Israel’s Defence Minister has ordered a reprimand for the military intelligence head who warned that Trump’s Gaza plan could lead to an escalation of violence in the occupied territories.
- The directive emphasizes that army officers should not publicly challenge the current administration’s strategic plans.
Diplomatic Engagement- US Secretary of State’s Upcoming Talks
- A senior State Department official confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will continue discussions on the future of Gaza—initiated by Trump’s recent remarks.
- Rubio is scheduled to participate in a major international security conference and subsequently visit several Middle Eastern countries.
International Funding Support - UNRWA Aid Pledge
- Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris has announced an additional pledge of €20 million in support of UNRWA, which is assisting Palestinian refugees amid an ongoing Israeli ban on its operations.
- Harris urged the international community to increase humanitarian funding to help alleviate the plight of displaced Palestinians.
Humanitarian Assessment - UN’s Humanitarian Chief on Gaza
- The United Nations’ chief of humanitarian affairs has described the current situation in northern Gaza as one of “unimaginable destruction.”
- The call to action includes delivering lifesaving aid, maintaining the ceasefire, and supporting efforts to rebuild essential infrastructure.
ICC Reaction - Response from the International Criminal Court
- The ICC has issued a statement condemning the US sanctions, asserting that these measures are intended to undermine its impartial judicial work.
- The Court reaffirmed its commitment to providing “justice and hope” for victims of atrocities worldwide.
Analysis - Expert Perspective on US Complicity
- Marc Owen Jones, a professor in Middle East Studies, argues that by targeting ICC officials, President Trump is making the US increasingly complicit in alleged war crimes.
- Jones contends that Trump’s policies effectively advocate for ethnic cleansing in Gaza, acknowledging that the territory has been rendered uninhabitable—a situation that he categorises as a war crime.
International Solidarity - South Africa’s Stand
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed solidarity with the Palestinians, highlighting the suffering endured after decades of illegal occupation.
- His remarks underscored South Africa’s commitment to resolving international disputes peacefully, in accordance with United Nations principles.
