Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a desperate plea on Sunday, calling on the United States to intervene and prevent Israel from launching an imminent attack on the border city of Rafah in Gaza. Abbas warned that the assault, expected within days, could lead to a mass exodus of the Palestinian population from the enclave.
Speaking at a special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Abbas emphasized that only the United States had the power to stop Israel from committing what he described as a “crime” against the people of Rafah. Israel has been ramping up airstrikes on the neighborhood, citing its goal to eliminate Hamas’ remaining forces in the area.
The international community, including Israel’s closest ally, the United States, has urged restraint, fearing the catastrophic consequences of a full-scale assault on Rafah. Abbas expressed concern that such an attack would force Palestinians to flee Gaza, leading to a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions.
Abbas also voiced his rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians into neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt. He warned that Israel’s actions in Gaza could be a prelude to similar operations in the West Bank, potentially pushing Palestinians into Jordan.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced a significant portion of the Palestinian population. As tensions escalate, the world watches anxiously to see if diplomatic efforts can avert a full-blown humanitarian disaster in Gaza.