Death toll rises in Gaza and Israel in most intense hostilities in years

Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Gaza into Wednesday morning as Hamas and other Palestinian fighters fired multiple rocket barrages over the border at Tel Aviv and the southern city of Beersheba.

At least 35 people have been killed in Gaza and five in Israel in the most intense exchanges for years.

In Gaza, one multi-story residential building, whose occupants were warned in advance by Israel to evacuate, collapsed, and another was heavily damaged after they were repeatedly hit by Israeli airstrikes.

We’re Escalating towards a Full Scale War

UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland tweeted: “Stop the fire immediately. We’re escalating towards a full scale war. Leaders on all sides have to take the responsibility of de-escalation.”

Stop the fire immediately. We’re escalating towards a full scale war. Leaders on all sides have to take the responsibility of deescalation. The cost of war in Gaza is devastating & is being paid by ordinary people. UN is working w/ all sides to restore calm. Stop the violence now

— Tor Wennesland (@TWennesland) May 11, 2021

War crimes court concerned over violence in West Bank: ICC

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has expressed concern about escalating violence in the occupied West Bank and the possibility that war crimes are being committed there, its prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said.

“I note with great concern the escalation of violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as in and around Gaza, and the possible commission of crimes under the Rome Statute,” Bensouda wrote on Twitter.

🚨 #ICC Prosecutor #FatouBensouda on the recent escalation of violence in #Gaza, the #WestBank, including #EastJerusalem ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/jZlns3d92I

— Int’l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) May 12, 2021

I am PM of Pakistan and we stand with Gaza; Imran Khan

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan condemned Israeli aggression.

I am PM of Pakistan and #WeStandWithGaza #WeStandWithPalestine pic.twitter.com/0Gpb9DxjJG

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 12, 2021

An emergency meeting of OIC Permanent Representatives OF OIC was held to discuss the escalating Israeli aggression in Al-Quds, in which Amb Sheikh called upon the international community to act in concert-to protect Palestinian civilians, in implementation of resolutions of the UNSC and UNGA premised on protection of the rights of Palestinian people- including the inalienable right to self-determination.

Speaking at the Emergency meeting of OIC Permanent Representatives to discuss the escalating Israeli aggression in Al-Quds, Amb Rizwan Saeed Sheikh expressed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the recent spate of Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. pic.twitter.com/lVToc0W7wx

— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to OIC (@PakOIC_Jeddah) May 12, 2021

Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement in this regard and condemned Israel’s Attacks on Gaza.

#Pakistan strongly condemns the air strikes by Israel in #Gaza that resulted in deaths and injuries to so many innocent Palestinians, including children. This is yet another reprehensible action during the holy month of Ramadan. 1/3

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) May 11, 2021