This news is deeply concerning. The United Nations has issued a strong warning about a potential Israeli military assault on Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Despite some progress in aid access, the situation remains dire. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urgently calling on influential states to intervene and prevent further escalation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s commitment to proceed with the assault regardless of Hamas’s response to ceasefire proposals is alarming. The UN’s aid chief, Martin Griffiths, emphasized the catastrophic consequences of such an operation in Rafah, where many displaced Palestinians seek refuge.
While Israel had previously promised to improve aid access following pressure from US President Joe Biden, Guterres stressed that these efforts cannot be used to justify military action. The focus should be on preventing a humanitarian catastrophe, especially in northern Gaza.
Guterres highlighted the importance of ensuring security for humanitarian efforts and reiterated the need for Israel to fulfill its commitments, including opening crossings for aid distribution. Targeting humanitarian convoys and facilities would exacerbate an already dire situation for the people of Gaza.
