Armenia Recognizes Palestinian State, Prompting Israeli Rebuke
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Hashim Sheikh
- . June 21, 2024
- . Update: June 21, 2024 7:57 pm
In a crucial diplomatic move, Armenia announced its decision to recognize the Palestinian state. This recognition has provoked Israel, and led to summoning the Armenian ambassador for what the Foreign Ministry described as a “severe reprimand.” The move underscores the escalating international discourse on the Palestinian struggle amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Widespread Recognition and Diplomatic Implications
More than dozen nations have already recognized a Palestinian state, though none of the major Western powers have declared the same. These recognitions are seen as a remarkable step towards gaining international legitimacy for their cause for Palestinians. This development comes at a time when Israel’s prolonged military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, now going to enter its tenth month, faces severe international criticism due to massive destruction and consequential civilian casualties.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen. The head of a major hospital in northern Gaza reported seeing around 250 children suffering from malnutrition, with the counts rising daily due to severe food shortages. The war has massively disrupted the food supply, medical aids and availability of basic goods, making Gaza totally dependent on aid.
Despite Israel’s pledge to secure a new aid route into Southern Gaza, the United Nations and international aid organizations noted that the route was blocked due to breakdown in law and order. Armed groups are stopping convoys, holding drivers at gunpoint and looting supplies, severely affecting aid distribution drives.
Rising Casualties and Military Engagements
This conflict resulted in massive bloodshed. According to a report by the Gaza Health Ministry more than 37,100 innocent lives were lost since the war began. Meanwhile, the Israeli military solidifies the deaths of two soldiers in central Gaza, with three others severely injured.
Israel launched the current offensive following a brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, which caused the deaths of more than 1,200 people, most of them civilians and more than 250 individuals were abducted. The ongoing violence has only aggravated the humanitarian crisis, with the region facing acute scarcity of essential supplies.
Challenges in Aid Delivery
Efforts to deliver aid to Gaza faced multiple challenges. Despite pauses in combat to allow for aid delivery announced by Israel, U.N. and other humanitarian organizations report little progress only. Head of the U.N.’s World Food Program, Cindy McCain, expressed disappointment and frustration, pointing that the aid trucks have been looted and shot at, with drivers risking their lives to deliver these life saving supplies.
The breakdown in law and order has seen armed groups setting up red blocks and apprehending aid trucks. While some armed security personnel managed to get through with the help of commercial trucks, the situation remains hazardous. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with millions of innocents displaced and living in destitute circumstances.
Keep On Reading
Armenia’s recognition of a Palestinian state highlights the multifaceted and complex nature of international relations concerning the conflict between Israel and Palestine. As that humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, the urgent need for effective aid delivery and a resolution to this ongoing violence becomes even more critical. This diplomatic development adds a new layer to the already convoluted geopolitical dynamics, underscoring the global stakes involved in the region’s protracted conflict.
