As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated, the country’s forces intend to carry out a planned ground attack on Rafah despite international pressure. Despite opposition from the UN and the US, where more than a million Gazans have fled the fighting in Rafah, Israel will not attack the city until civilians are allowed to flee.
Director of the World Health Organization under the UN, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urged Israel not to launch a full-scale ground offensive in Rafah, citing the potential for increased violence and suffering in the densely populated area. He pointed out that people in Rafah have nowhere safe to go and there are no functioning and safe health facilities in Gaza. Many residents are too frail, hungry, and sick to move.
In response to the situation in Gaza, Israel’s leadership discussed sending a delegation to Doha to negotiate a ceasefire. However, Netanyahu stated that Israel would not accept any truce that would weaken its ability to defend itself. The ongoing conflict in Rafah highlights the urgent need for a diplomatic solution to prevent further loss of life and suffering.
Human Rights Watch also accused the Israeli government of using the starvation of civilians as a weapon of war. The organization called on Israel to immediately end its blockade of Gaza and allow aid into the territory. They also demanded that Israel respects international law and human rights standards by treating Palestinian civilians with dignity and respecting their right to life, liberty, and security of person.
