Israel responds to Hamas’ attack by strike in Rafah, China & Cambodia engage in a joint military exercise

This week, an Israeli airstrike at a refugee camp in Rafah, Gaza resulted in the deaths of over 45 individuals, including children. This event occurred shortly after the International Court of Justice’s directive for Israel to cease its activities in Rafah. The incident has spurred widespread international condemnation and further exacerbated Israel’s global isolation amid the conflict in Gaza. Following Hamas’ rocket attacks on the Tel Aviv area, which were largely intercepted, Israel carried out this offensive on Rafah last week.

Responding to the attack from Hamas, Israeli forces continued their attack on the border town irrespective of a recent directive from the highest UN court to stop its operations there. Before Israel intensified its military campaign on the Gaza side of the border and took over the crossing earlier this month, Rafah served as a crucial entry point for humanitarian assistance. The conflict in Rafah has led to millions of Palestinians fleeing, many of whom were already displaced due to ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Palestinians have expressed their deep concerns about the situation throughout the Gaza Strip in recent months.

The Rafah military action has sparked renewed criticism and drawn strong reactions from international leaders also. Despite facing global disapproval and a warning from the US, Israel has declared its intention to continue with the Rafah attack. The UN has consistently raised concerns about an imminent food shortage, especially in Gaza’s northern region; however, following the Rafah incursion, the UN Secretary-General expressed growing apprehension about malnutrition in the South. On the other hand, the Israeli military stated that their planes had aimed at a Hamas facility in Rafah, resulting in the deaths of two high-ranking Hamas members. While acknowledging reports of civilian casualties caused by the attack and ensuing fire, Israeli authorities have come up with the statements mentioning they were conducting an investigation into the incident.

On the other hand, the US is under increasing pressure to adopt a more assertive position following this lethal attack in the city of Rafah in Gaza. Concerns are rising regarding President Joe Biden’s tolerance of an Israeli offensive on Rafah, especially after the order of the International Court of Justice, which counts both the US and Israel as members, to cease. Apart from causing destruction in the region, the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is also proving damaging for the peace and stability of the world. Despite requests and directives of the UN, none of the two parties involved in a gory conflict is ready to cease.

Following Rafah attack, India has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and restated its stance on the conflict between Israel and Gaza. India also emphasized the need to safeguard civilians and uphold international humanitarian law during Israel’s military actions against Palestinians. India has also mentioned the Israeli acknowledgment of the strike and stated Israel has already admitted responsibility for it as a regrettable accident and announced an inquiry into the matter.

While on one hand, Rafah attack shook the world, on the other hand, China started a joint military exercise with Cambodia, increasing tensions for the US. This week, the China-Cambodia Golden Dragon-2024 joint military training carried out live-fire exercises in the sea close to Sihanoukville Port in Cambodia. A total of 16 vessels from both countries took part in this exercise, marking the first instance of a joint live-fire drill between Chinese naval ships and the Cambodian navy. As per the official statements from both the nations, the focus of the exercise was on maritime anti-terrorism and anti-hijacking operations.

Approximately 1,315 Cambodian military members and 760 Chinese nationals took part in the Golden Dragon ground and sea drills. There are concerns from the US and other nations that China’s assistance in constructing a new pier at the Ream base could transform it into a new Chinese naval facility at a strategically significant position on the Gulf of Thailand. These worries have been heightened by the presence of two Chinese warships docked at the pier for over five months as the Golden Dragon exercises commenced.

However, Cambodia has maintained that its constitution forbids the presence of any foreign military forces on its land. The Defense Ministry of Cambodia has stated that the two Chinese corvettes were simply carrying out pier testing and were present to take part in the Golden Dragon exercises, with their second phase set to involve maritime manoeuvres near the Ream base.

Collaboration, undoubtedly, is the key to accomplishments. But what kind of accomplishments remains a pertinent question. Considering each other’s priorities and compulsions to come up with a collaborative model for global peace and development sounds very ideal, but knowing the nature of dynamic global politics and individual national interests, at least the nations can start adopting positive goals for accomplishments instead of erasing each other’s lines. Working in the direction of carving a collective and collaborative pathway is the key to global security and peace. Hope at least on this particular goal, the world stands united.