As the Israeli army prepares to launch an offensive against the southern Gaza town of Rafah, the United States warned Israel on Thursday (February 8) that the town of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have taken refuge, faces a run"Disaster"。Israeli forces intensified bombardment of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, killing at least 11 people.
Agence France-Presse reported that Patel, deputy spokesman for the United States, told ** on Thursday"So far, we have not seen any evidence that such actions and plans will be taken by the Israeli army. He said that it would be a disaster to launch such a large operation in an area of a million people without a plan of action and without careful consideration. ”
The spokesperson stressed that the United States "will not support" such a large-scale operation because it would cause huge civilian lives**. The Rafah crossing is an important checkpoint for the delivery of humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a trip to the Middle East on Thursday aimed at brokering a new ceasefire, a U.S. spokesperson further stressed. He said Blinken briefed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly during his talks with him on Wednesday.
Blinken urged his Israeli allies to put in the preparations for Operation Rafah"Civilians"Put it first. Israeli forces on Thursday bombed parts of the southern border city of Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's population has now taken refuge.
Reuters reported that at least 11 people were killed by Israeli warplanes that bombed parts of Rafah early Thursday morning, and two houses were hit by airstrikes. Tanks also shelled areas east of Rafah, fueling fears of an imminent ground assault by Israeli forces.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the ceasefire agreement, which included the release of the hostages, was offered by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas"Delusional"He said that he would continue to fight, and pointed out that victory for the Israeli army is in sight, and it will only take a few more months to achieve victory.
The United Nations aid agency has warned that if Israel invades a few strongholds in Gaza that have not yet been attacked by Israeli forces from the ground, it will create a catastrophe. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday that if Israeli forces advance towards Rafah, which is located on the Egyptian border, it will"Exacerbate the nightmare of the humanitarian crisis that has already undertaken, and trigger incalculable consequences for the regional situation"。
Israel said it had taken steps to avoid killing civilians**, but also said it blamed Hamas militants for hiding among civilians, including schools, shelters and hospitals, leading to more civilian deaths. Hamas has denied this.