The EU and France urged Israel not to launch a military operation in Rafah – 2024-05-07 00:46:26

by times news cr

2024-05-07 00:46:26

The European Union and France called on Israel today not to launch a military operation in the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported.

Over a million residents there, but possibly thousands of Palestinian Islamist fighters, have flocked to Rafah. Israel is preparing to launch an operation in the city in the southernmost part of the coastal territory to deal a crushing blow to Hamas, BTA said.

The EU’s foreign policy and security chief, Josep Borrell, called on Israel to abandon its plans. The European Union and the international community “can and must” act to prevent the operation, he pointed out in a post on the X social network.

Borrell warned that “Israeli orders to evacuate civilians in Rafah portend the worst: more wars and famine.”

The French Foreign Ministry again called on Israel not to launch the operation.

“France also recalls that the forced transfer of a civilian population is a war crime under international law,” the statement said.

Amid growing concerns about an Israeli military operation in Rafah, Hamas warned in a statement that such an offensive would be “no picnic” for the Israeli army. Evacuating people from the city would lead to a humanitarian catastrophe, added the Palestinian Islamist movement.

Neighboring Jordan also called on Israel not to launch a military operation in Rafah, arguing that it could lead to a massacre, DPA reported, citing a post on X by Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi.

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