The United Nations (UN) and other world countries, including Israel’s staunch supporter, have warned Tel Aviv not to launch ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah which borders Egypt.
Several civilians have already been killed by Israeli airstrikes in the area. During the four-month old onslaught by the Israel Defence Force, Rafah was home to only 250 000 people. Now it’s home to more than a million displaced refugees fleeing the attacks, who live in makeshift shelters without access to clean water or food.
“The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that strikes in Rafah have heightened concerns of an escalation in Gaza’s southernmost city, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge.
“Of the 1.7 million people displaced in Gaza, the majority are situated in Rafah governorate, where humanitarian operations are now based. The growing insecurity in Rafah is greatly impacting humanitarian response activities,” said UN Secretary General spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.
The UN warnings concerns come as humanitarian organisations have expressed concern that should the offensive be launched, the refugees have nowhere to go and seek shelter, and this will create a humanitarian catastrophe.
Meanwhile, Egypt which borders Rafah, has threatened to suspend its participation in the historic 1978 peace treaty with Israel if it goes ahead with the offensive.
Other countries, which include the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Germany, Australia among others, have also condemned Israel’s plans.
United States President, Joe Biden, who has been a staunch supporter for Israel in the war against Hamas, has also joined calls for Israel to halt the planned Rafah offensive.
“A major military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible plan for ensuring the safety and support of more than 1 million people sheltering there.
“Many people there have been displaced multiple times fleeing the violence to the north and now they are packed into Rafah, exposed and vulnerable. They need to be protected,” pleaded Biden.
Meanwhile, a defiant Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed that the offensive will go ahead, with or without the support of its allies.
“We are working out a detailed plan to do so. Those who say under no circumstances should we enter Rafah are basically saying, lose the war, keep Hamas there. We are not going to let Hamas emerge victorious,” said Netanyahu.
He said he has requested the army to develop a combined plan that would also include the evacuation of the civilian population, with safe passage to safe zones ensured.