26 EU nations warn Israel over 'catastrophic' Rafah offensive

All European Union countries, except Hungary, issued a warning to Israel on Monday, urging them against launching an offensive in Rafah.

The nations emphasised concerns that such actions could exacerbate the plight of the approximately 1.5 million refugees residing in the densely populated city on Gaza's southern border.

"An attack on Rafah would be absolutely catastrophic... it would be unconscionable," Irish foreign minister Micheal Martin said before a meeting of foreign ministers from the 27 EU member states in Brussels.

At the request of Belgium, according to its top diplomat Hadja Lahbib, the 26 states expressed "the need for a sustainable ceasefire" as well as the release of hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance.

"We reiterate the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times in line with International Humanitarian Law and to respect the January 26 order of the International Court of Justice, which is legally binding," read a statement of the foreign ministers issued at Brussels on February 19.

Hungary, a known Israeli ally, stopped fellow EU foreign ministers from formally asking Israel not to attack Rafah.

EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said on Monday there was just "one party" now blocking the settler move, alluding to Hungary.

Child deaths

An alarming lack of food, surging malnutrition and the rampant spread of disease could spark an explosion in child deaths in Gaza, the United Nations warned Monday.

Twenty weeks into Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, UN agencies warned that food and safe water had become "incredibly scarce" in the Palestinian territory, adding that virtually all young children had infectious illnesses.

"The Gaza Strip is poised to witness an explosion in preventable child deaths which would compound the already unbearable level of child deaths in Gaza," said Ted Chaiban, deputy head of humanitarian action at the UN children's agency UNICEF.

Palestinians collect food at a donation point in a refugee camp in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 23, 2023. (Photo by Mahmud HAMS / AFP)

At least 90 per cent of children under five in Gaza are affected by one or more infectious diseases, according to a joint assessment by the UN agencies for children, food and health.

Seventy per cent had diarrhoea in the two weeks before the assessment, marking a 23-fold increase compared to the 2022 baseline.

"Hunger and disease are a deadly combination," World Health Organization emergencies director Mike Ryan said in a statement.

"Hungry, weakened and deeply traumatised children are more likely to get sick, and children who are sick, especially with diarrhoea, cannot absorb nutrients well. It's dangerous, and tragic, and happening before our eyes."

ICJ hearing

On Monday, the United Nations' International Court of Justice began a week of hearings on the legal consequences of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, with over 50 countries expected to address the judges.

The Palestinian team at the ICJ questioned the essence of international law if it cannot safeguard innocent Palestinian children.

Palestine's UN ambassador, Riyad Mansour, shed tears during his submissions at the global court while recounting how international law has failed to protect innocent Palestinians.

The hearing resumes today with eleven countries submitting their arguments on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.