According to Qatar's Al Jazeera, the Israeli army launched a military strike on the southern city of Rafah and its surrounding areas in the early morning of the 12th, killing at least 52 people. Earlier, when Biden was communicating with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he asked the Israeli side to ensure the safety of the local people before launching a ground operation in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip. Many countries in the Middle East have also issued statements condemning Israel's plans to launch a ground operation against Rafah and calling on the international community to take action to avoid escalation.
Biden demanded that Israel ensure the safety of the population before attacking Rafah.
Data map. According to a number of Israeli ** reports, on the evening of February 11, local time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Biden of the United States**. According to the report, the phone call between the two lasted about 45 minutes and focused on discussing issues such as possible ground military operations and the exchange of detainees in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has not released information at this time.
The White House confirmed on the 11th that Biden had a phone call with Netanyahu on the same day. The parties discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages held by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Biden stressed the need to use the progress made in the negotiations at this stage to ensure that all hostages are released as soon as possible. In addition, Biden reiterated that "Israel should not conduct military operations in Rafah" without a "credible and viable plan" to ensure the safety of the more than 1 million people who have taken refuge in the Gaza Strip.
Several sources noted that Egypt warned Israel not to attack Rafah.
Several sources pointed out that Egypt has warned Israel that it will suspend the implementation of the peace treaty signed with Israel in 1979 if Israeli forces launch a ground operation against Rafah. Egypt has reportedly tightened its border with the Gaza Strip and established a buffer zone up to 5 kilometers wide. But if the Israeli army launches a ground operation against Rafah, the Egyptian side may not be able to stop the influx of people from the Gaza Strip into Egypt.
Qatar issued a statement saying that Qatar rejects attempts to expel Palestinians from Gaza.
On the 11th local time, Qatar*** issued a statement saying that Qatar rejected any attempt to expel the Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. The statement called on the UN Security Council to take urgent action to stop the Israeli army's ground operation in Rafah and protect the people of the Gaza Strip.
Oman*** issued a statement warning that an Israeli attack on Rafah would lead to an escalation of the situation.
On the same day, Oman*** issued a statement warning that the Israeli army's ground operation in Rafah would lead to an escalation of the situation, with serious consequences. Oman calls on the international community to take concrete action to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Lebanon calls on the UN Security Council to fulfil its responsibilities.
Lebanon also issued a statement on the 11th, condemning Israel's planned ground operation against Rafah and calling on the United Nations Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities and adopt a resolution on an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
The conflict destroys the Palestinian economy and affects regional economic development.
On the 11th local time, International Monetary Organization President Georgieva said that the ongoing conflict has destroyed the already struggling Palestinian economy, and economic activity in the Gaza Strip from October to December 2023 has decreased by 80% compared with the same period in 2022. At the same time, she said that only a sustainable peace and a political solution to the conflict could fundamentally improve the prospects for the Palestinian economy. The current round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict has affected the tourism industry and Red Sea shipping in neighboring countries such as Egypt and Lebanon, and the economic growth level of the entire Middle East and North Africa region this year may be lower than that of the International Monetary Organization**.
*丨CCTV News, Xinhuanet.