UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stern warning to the Israeli military regarding the potential escalation of its operations in the city of Rafah within the Gaza Strip.
Speaking at a press conference held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Friday, Guterres emphasized the precarious nature of the situation in Rafah, highlighting ongoing airstrikes across southern Gaza. He cautioned that any significant ground offensive in Rafah could result in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, jeopardizing vital efforts to provide assistance amid looming famine.
Guterres underscored the staggering number of Palestinians seeking refuge in Rafah, with a significant portion being children, painting a grim picture of the dire circumstances faced by residents. Reports from humanitarian volunteers in the area described devastating conditions, including the imminent suspension of hospital services due to a lack of urgently needed fuel.
The recent advancement of Israeli armed forces into the eastern outskirts of Rafah with ground troops has further exacerbated the situation. According to UN estimates as of Friday, a staggering 110,000 people have fled the city, exacerbating overcrowding in refugee camps along the border with Egypt.
In a direct appeal to both the Government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas, Guterres called for political courage and concerted efforts to reach an agreement aimed at halting the violence and securing the release of hostages. He emphasized the urgency of de-escalating the military action to prevent the potential onset of a full-scale offensive on the city.
The heightened military activity has raised concerns that Rafah could be the target of a major offensive. Urgent warnings from the United States, Israel’s key ally, caution against such a move, highlighting the potentially devastating consequences of further escalation.
