SAN DIEGO — Israeli forces are pushing deeper into the city of Rafah, despite an order from a United Nations International Court of Justice to stop its operation against Hamas there.
A wave of international anger is building after two deadly attacks in the humanitarian zone.
Demonstrations have broken out around the globe in response, including here in San Diego, where hundreds gathered on Tuesday to call for a ceasefire.
A large group gathered at Waterfront Park to demand an end to the bloodshed after a series of strikes in Rafah, which is supposed to be the last few sites where Palestinians can go to seek refuge.
“The photos and the atrocities that we’re witnessing are absolutely disgusting," said Subrein Damanhoury, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement.
Hundreds of protesters stood outside Waterfront Park in unity to condemn deadly strikes that hit encampments for Palestinian refugees in Southern Gaza.
"We’re here as a community, we’re standing against this, we’re calling on the administration to continue to listen to us, to listen to its constituents and stop funding this, stop arming the Israeli government," said Damanhoury.
The Gaza Health Ministry said dozens of civilians, many of them children, were killed and many others were injured inside what are supposed to be safe zones after an Israeli air strike today.
“In the past 48 hours, there have been a lot of bombings on Rafah. Rafah is the safe zone that has been designated for Palestinians to evacuate to," added Damanhoury.
On Sunday, Israel launched a similar attack on a camp that killed at least 45 civilians and triggered a massive fire.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the attack was a tragic mistake and that an investigation into the strike is underway.
“It’s also disgusting for the Israeli Zionist regime to be saying it’s a mistake. There are no mistakes. Time and time again – it’s been 8 months, how many mistakes are you making before this is international crimes," said Damanhoury. “They are going to areas that are supposed to be designated as safe areas as safe zones, refugee camps. These are people who have been living in tents for 6 to 8 months, children, women, innocent people – and they’re being bombed in the middle of the night? Where’s the humanity in that?"
Organizers say they will continue to gather and speak out against what’s happening in Gaza until there’s a ceasefire.
The Biden administration has decided Israel’s strike in Rafah did not cross the “red line” President Joe Biden set two months ago.
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