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US urges Israel to refrain from entering Rafah

2024-05-06 23:35:15 | Last update : 2024-05-07 00:14:39

US Ambassador to UN recalls US concerns over potential ground attack on Rafah, emphasizing calls for cautious operations but notes no observed changes to protect civilians

US urges Israel to refrain from entering Rafah

The United States Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Robert Wood, has stated that they continue to encourage Israel not to enter Rafah.

Wood responded to a question from an Anadolu Agency reporter, saying, "Will there be a change in U.S. policy if Israel launches a ground attack on Rafah?"

Recalling the U.S.'s previous expressions of concern regarding a ground attack on Rafah and their call for more careful operations, Wood stated that they have not seen any plans or changes made to protect civilians.

Regarding a possible ground attack on Rafah, Wood said, "I don't want to speculate. Israel has not entered Rafah yet. We continue to encourage them not to."

U.S. President Joe Biden had previously stated that nearly 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah, and under current conditions, they do not support an Israeli ground attack on the city, emphasizing that it would lead to significant destruction.

UN chief urges Hamas, Israel to go ‘extra mile’ to reach truce deal

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UN chief Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned by the looming Israeli military operation in Rafah, spokesman Stephane Dujarric has said.

“We are already seeing movements of people – many of these are in desperate humanitarian condition and have been repeatedly displaced. They search safety that has been so many times denied,” he said in a statement.

Dujarric said the UN chief has urged Israel and Hamas “to go the extra mile needed to make an agreement come true and stop the present suffering”.

“The Secretary-General reminds the parties that the protection of civilians is paramount in international humanitarian law.”

Israel hits Rafah after Hamas accepts truce deal

Celebrations erupt in Gaza after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says it has accepted a ceasefire proposal put forward by Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

However, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says the proposal agreed by Hamas is far from Israel’s demands but the Israeli government will send a delegation to negotiate.

It also says the war cabinet decided that Israel will continue its operation on Rafah, with the army announcing striking targets in the east of the city.

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The U.S. says it is reviewing Hamas’s response to the ceasefire proposal, declining to provide a timeframe. The State Department also reasserts U.S. opposition to an Israeli assault on Rafah.

“We cannot support an operation in Rafah as it is currently envisioned,” spokesperson Matthew Miller says, adding that the U.S. has not seen a credible plan to protect the 1.5 million civilians sheltering in the city.

Source: Newsroom