EU's Borrell urges 'Israel' to safeguard civilians in Rafah
3 Min Read
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has expressed concern over reports of civilians being forcibly displaced to unsafe areas, emphasizing “Israel's” obligation under international law to protect civilians.
-
Palestinian children walk through the rubble of a residential building heavily bombed by Israeli occupation forces in Rafah, Gaza. (AFP)
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Sunday that "Israel" must guarantee the protection of civilians in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, in line with international legal standards.
"Forcing civilians to evacuate Rafah to unsafe zones is intolerable. Israel is bound by international law to provide safety to civilians. We continue to urge Israel not to go ahead with a ground operation in Rafah," Borrell said in a post on X.
Forcing civilians to evacuate #Rafah to unsafe zones is intolerable.#Israel is bound by international law to provide safety to civilians.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) May 11, 2024
We continue to urge Israel not to go ahead w/ a ground operation in Rafah.
This would further exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis.
He additionally urged "Israel" to abstain from proceeding with a full-blown military operation in Rafah, cautioning that such action would worsen an already severe humanitarian situation.
In the same context, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) characterized the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Rafah as "inhumane" in a statement posted on X.
"There is nowhere safe to go," it added.
Over the last week, @UNRWA estimates around 300,000 people have now fled #Rafah, as the forced and inhumane displacement of Palestinians continues.
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 12, 2024
There is nowhere safe to go.
There is nowhere safe to go.
There is nowhere safe to go. pic.twitter.com/sPnmblvg47
The genocide is ongoing
The IOF continue to drop bombs on southern Gaza following directives for the forceful displacement of the already-displaced Palestinian people currently seeking shelter in Rafah, which had been designated by the Israelis as an alleged "safe zone" early in the war.
This is occurring as the IOF has been carpet-bombing areas in Rafah, the central region, and the northern area over the last 24 hours.
Recent hours have witnessed an increase in Israeli military bombardment of the Jabalia camp, resulting in the destruction of residential buildings and the targeting of evacuation centers. Several civilians were killed in the airstrikes that targeted numerous areas east of the Jabalia refugee camp.
During the overnight hours from Monday to Tuesday, the IOF initiated a military campaign in the eastern sectors of Rafah and seized control of the Gaza portion of the Rafah crossing bordering Egypt. The Israeli war cabinet on Friday approved an expansion of the Israeli Occupation Forces' area of invasion in the southern Gaza city.
Commenting on the escalating situation, Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees, repeated his plea for a ceasefire, saying the Israeli invasion of Rafah is “killing and displacing more Palestinians trapped in southern Gaza”.
The Rafah operation is killing and displacing more
— Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) May 11, 2024
Palestinians trapped in southern Gaza. Israel, the occupying power, has the responsibility to avoid a regional spillover and the tragedy of a new refugee crisis. Aid must be allowed to reach those in need in Gaza.#CeasefireNOW
“Israel, the occupying power, has the responsibility to avoid a regional spillover and the tragedy of a new refugee crisis. Aid must be allowed to reach those in need in Gaza,” he stressed in a post on X.
Meanwhile, world leaders are raising concerns about a full-blown invasion of Rafah as the Israeli military extends evacuation directives for Palestinians seeking refuge in the southern city.
