Israeli Assault on Southern Gaza’s Rafah Area Could Lead to Disaster, Aid Group Warns
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The head of an aid group has issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of an Israeli assault on southern Gaza’s Rafah area, stating that it could spell disaster not only for civilians in Gaza but also across the entire Middle East. Jan Egeland, the Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, expressed deep concern about the escalating situation in the region, describing it as a “countdown to an even bigger conflict.”
Egeland emphasized the dire situation faced by 1.3 million civilians seeking refuge in Rafah, including aid workers from his organization, who are living in constant fear of an Israeli offensive. Israel has recently intensified airstrikes on Rafah, despite warnings from allies that such actions could result in mass casualties. The Israeli government has indicated its intention to evacuate civilians before launching a full-scale assault on the area.
In a plea to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Egeland urged him to reconsider the operation, stating, “Netanyahu, stop this. It is a disaster not only for the Palestinians, but it would be a disaster for Israel as well. You will have a stain on the Israeli conscience and history forever.”
Egeland, who spoke to Reuters from Lebanon, where he witnessed the impact of the conflict firsthand, highlighted the devastating consequences of the ongoing hostilities between the Israeli military and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. He expressed concern that the situation could escalate into a larger regional conflict, drawing parallels to the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
The Norwegian Refugee Council head emphasized the urgent need to prevent another devastating war in the Middle East, particularly in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Israeli military campaign, which has been ongoing for more than six months, aims to eradicate Hamas, the Palestinian group responsible for a deadly attack on southern Israel.
According to Gaza health authorities, the Israeli campaign has resulted in the deaths of over 34,300 Palestinians and has caused widespread destruction in the densely populated enclave. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, with many residents facing food and water shortages, as well as limited access to medical care.
Egeland noted that while there have been some improvements in aid deliveries, the looming threat of famine persists due to the continued closure of border crossings. He warned that an attack on Rafah would severely hamper aid operations and exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
As tensions continue to escalate in the region, Egeland’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The international community must act swiftly to prevent further escalation and protect the lives of civilians caught in the crossfire.
(Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Emilie Madi; Editing by Alex Richardson)
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