Without proper planning, the United States has warned Israel that launching a military offensive into the southern city of Rafah in Gaza would be a “catastrophe.
In the city that shares a border with Egypt, an estimated 1.5 million Palestinians are enduring appalling humanitarian conditions.
The White House stated that it would not support significant operations in the region without giving due regard to the refugees.
Days earlier, the commander of Israel declared that the military had been instructed to make arrangements to conduct operations in Rafah.
Without mentioning Rafah, US President Joe Biden stated that Israel’s actions in Gaza had been “excessive” on Thursday evening.
Friday’s alleged Israeli airstrikes on Gaza claimed the lives of at least fifteen individuals. Eight of whom were from Rafah, according to health ministry officials operated by Hamas. Israel declined to comment immediately.
According to Salem El-Rayyes, a freelance journalist residing in a displaced persons’ camp in Rafah, children were among those killed. An airstrike struck a nearby home. He told Reuters that the remains of the victims “flew from the third floor.”
Tents house the majority of Rafah’s inhabitants, who were displaced from other regions of Gaza as a result of conflict.
Rafah Residents Fear Imminent Assault
A mother of two named Garda al-Kourd, who claimed to have been displaced six times during the conflict, anticipated an Israeli assault but hoped an armistice agreement would be reached in time.
“Should they reach Rafah, our existence will be ended as if we were patiently awaiting our demise.” “We have nowhere else to go,” she said from the residence of a relative in Rafah, where she and twenty others were residing at the time.
Emad, 55, a father of six, fled to Rafah, according to Reuters. He said that his greatest dread was a ground assault from which there was nowhere to escape.
He stated that our backs are to the [border] fence and our faces are to the Mediterranean. Where do we need to go?
The Israeli bombing began on October 7, destroying much of northern and central Gaza.
John Kirby, a spokesman for the United States National Security Council, had previously stated that the Israeli military had a “special obligation, whether conducting operations there or elsewhere, to ensure that protection for innocent civilian life is a factor.”
“Military operations at this time would be catastrophic for those people, and we would not support that,” he said, adding that the United States had not observed any indications that Israel was preparing to initiate a major operation in Rafah in the near future.
U.S. Stresses Civilian Safety in Rafah
Deputy State Department spokesman Vedant Patel reiterated Mr. Kirby’s remarks. He stated, “We [the United States] would not support this endeavour without credible and serious planning.”
These, according to Mr. Patel, are “legitimate questions that the Israelis ought to respond to.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv that “any military operation that Israel undertakes must prioritise civilians… and this is particularly true in the case of Rafah.”
This was a clear warning, as it is uncommon for the United States, a key ally and military backer of Israel, to discuss imminent phases of the country’s military offensive in Gaza.
Israel is the world’s largest beneficiary of US military aid, at $3.8 billion (£3 billion).
Israeli officials estimate that the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7 claimed the lives of approximately 1,300 individuals.
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The Israeli response to the Palestinian situation has resulted in the deaths of over 27,800 individuals. Additionally, it has caused the injury of at least 67,000, according to the health ministry operated by Hamas.
Thursday, UN chief António Guterres delivered a scathing assessment of the situation: “They are residing in overcrowded, improvised shelters that are filthy and lack running water, electricity, and sufficient food supplies.”
“We unequivocally denounced the abhorrent actions committed by Hamas.” We unequivocally denounce the infringements upon international humanitarian law that have occurred in Gaza.”
Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, announced that he had ordered the forces in Rafah to “prepare to operate.” He stated that a “total victory” over Hamas was imminent.
