G7 leaders express concern about consequences of Israel's ongoing operation in Rafah (2024)

The U.S.-built aid pier will be detached from Gaza's coast for a second time due to rough seas, two U.S. officials said Friday, raising further questions about the viability of the sea route.

The military would move the pier late Friday and into Saturday to prevent it from breaking apart as it did late last month in bad weather, the two officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss military planning. The officials expect the pier will be back in place and operating again by next week.

The $230 million project has been beset by security, logistical and other problems since aid first rolled ashore May 17.

Although aid has been unloaded in a secure area onshore for several days, humanitarian agencies have stopped picking up and distributing it throughout Gaza. The UN is weighing whether it can safely and ethically keep delivering supplies from the pier, after Israeli forces used the area near the pier to evacuate hostages and a wounded commando, according to the U.S. and Israeli militaries, during last week's operation in which more than 270 Palestinians were killed.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders criticized Israel's actions in the West Bank and the decision to invite Prime Minister Netanyahu to address Congress in July, saying: "while the world is understandably focused on the destruction unfolding in Gaza, we should not lose sight of what is happening in the West Bank – actions which are in violation of both American and international law."

"Let's be clear: the right-wing, extremist Netanyahu government is not only breaking international law in Gaza, they are doing the same in the West Bank, where they are pursuing illegal annexation by force. Netanyahu should be facing serious consequences for these violations, not receiving an invitation to address a joint session of Congress," Sanders said.

Four firefighting teams are attempting to control a fire near the kibbutzim Baram and Yiron in Israel's north.

The IDF spokesperson announced that a short while after 9 P.M. ten rockets were fired from Lebanon to the northern Israeli town of Metula. It also reported that there have not been reports of casualties.

The announcement also stated that the air force struck Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon.

WASHINGTON — According to spokesperson Mathew Miller, the U.S. State Department is designating Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM) and three of its leaders as "Specially Designated Global Terrorists."

"NRM is the largest neo-Nazi group in Sweden, with branches in Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland, where it has been banned since 2020. NRM's violent activity is based on its openly racist, anti-immigrant, antisemitic, and anti-LGBTQI+ platform. The group's members and leaders have carried out violent attacks against political opponents, protestors, journalists, and other perceived adversaries," said the statement.

WASHINGTON — Leaders of the G7 expressed deep concern about the consequences of Israel's ongoing ground operation on the civilian population in Rafah, as well as the possibility of a full-scale military offensive.

"We call on the Government of Israel to refrain from such an offensive," the leaders said, while urging all parties to "facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage" of humanitarian aid.

"All parties must refrain from any unilateral actions that undermine the prospect of a two-state solution, including Israeli expansion of settlements and the "legalization" of settlement outposts. We condemn the rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians, which undermines security and stability in the West Bank, and threatens prospects for a lasting peace," the leaders continued, adding "we encourage support for the Palestinian Authority Security Services to make sure the West Bank remains stable and conducive to the ultimate establishment of a Palestinian state."

The leaders additionally reiterated support for the Biden-outlined cease-fire, noting Israel's acceptance of the deal and the imperative currently on Hamas to accept it.