Growing International Pressure on Israel’s Planned Military Assault on Rafah in Gaza
Israel is facing mounting international pressure over its proposed all-out military assault on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. The tension comes after a hostage rescue operation that resulted in the deaths of numerous Palestinians. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, commended the soldiers involved in the rescue mission and described it as a “perfect operation.” However, the Israeli military’s airstrikes on nearby buildings to support the rescue resulted in the deaths of at least 67 Palestinians. Hamas later claimed that additional Israeli hostages were also killed in the bombardment.
International Alarm and Criticism
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, strongly criticized Netanyahu, stating that he “doesn’t listen to anyone.” Borrell questioned where the refugees in Rafah would be evacuated to before a major military offensive, sarcastically suggesting the moon as an option. British foreign secretary David Cameron expressed concern about the situation, emphasizing that there is nowhere for the people in Rafah to go. He urged Israel to seriously consider the consequences before taking further action. Rishi Sunak, the UK’s prime minister, shared similar concerns about a potential military offensive in Rafah.
Foreign ministers from Australia and Germany also voiced their concerns. Penny Wong, the Australian foreign minister, warned that a failure to ensure special care for civilians in Rafah would harm Israel’s own interests. Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s foreign minister, described an Israeli offensive on Rafah as a “humanitarian catastrophe in the making.” She emphasized that the people in Gaza cannot simply disappear and called for restraint from those with influence.
UN Human Rights Chief’s Plea
Volker Türk, the UN’s human rights chief, called on the world to prevent the impending assault on Rafah. He urged those with influence to restrain rather than enable such an operation. Hundreds of thousands of families from other parts of Gaza have sought shelter in makeshift tents in Rafah, having been displaced multiple times in the past four months due to bombardment and ground fighting.
Netanyahu’s Determination
Despite warnings from aid agencies and the international community, Netanyahu reiterated his intention to extend Israel’s offensive. Hamas warned that a new advance into Rafah would jeopardize ongoing negotiations for the return of hostages in exchange for a ceasefire.
Hostage Rescue Operation
In the early hours of Monday, the Israeli military launched airstrikes on Rafah as part of a hostage rescue operation. Israeli warplanes, tanks, and ships struck two mosques and several houses, causing panic among sleeping residents. Dr. Marwan al-Hams, the director of the Abu Youssef al-Najjar hospital, reported that women and children were among those killed, with dozens more wounded.
The two hostages, Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har, who had been abducted on October 7th, were rescued and taken to a hospital in central Israel. They were confirmed to be in good condition. A photograph released to the media showed the two men sitting on a sofa alongside relatives. Although thin and pale, they were communicating well and aware of their surroundings.
The Israeli military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, stated that the IDF conducted a wave of attacks on Rafah during the 90-minute operation. Israeli special forces shielded the hostages with their bodies as a heavy battle ensued. The airstrikes were carried out to cut off contact with Hamas terrorists in the area and ensure the safe extraction of the hostages.
Hamas Claims Hostage Deaths
Hamas later claimed that several hostages were among the dead and injured from the Israeli airstrikes accompanying the rescue mission. However, these claims could not be independently verified, and Hamas’s information regarding hostages has been unreliable in the past.
International Concerns and Actions
Prior to the rescue operation, US President Joe Biden urged Netanyahu not to launch a military operation in Rafah without a credible plan to ensure the safety of those seeking shelter there. The EU’s Borrell criticized the US for continuing to arm Israel while expressing concerns about civilian deaths. He suggested that providing fewer arms could prevent the loss of innocent lives.
In the Netherlands, a court ordered the government to halt the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel, citing a clear risk that the planes could be used to violate international humanitarian law. Human rights organizations had challenged the transfer of aircraft parts, highlighting Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The court stated that Israel had caused a disproportionate number of civilian casualties, including thousands of children.
The UK government announced sanctions on four extremist Israeli settlers who have committed human rights abuses against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. British foreign secretary David Cameron condemned the actions of these settlers, emphasizing that their behavior is illegal and unacceptable. He called on Israel to take stronger action to stop settler violence.
Conclusion
Israel’s planned military assault on Rafah in Gaza has sparked international pressure and concern. The high death toll in Gaza and the displacement of Palestinians have drawn criticism from foreign leaders and human rights organizations. The successful
