EU urges 'Israel' to stop Rafah invasion or risk 'straining' ties

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
15 May 2024 15:43
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The European Union says the Israeli ground offensive on Rafah is further disturbing the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Dozens of Israeli tanks and other military vehicles are positioned in southern occupied Palestine near the border with the Gaza Strip on May 9, 2024. (AFP)

The European Union called on "Israel" to immediately halt its military operation in Rafah, Gaza, without delay, cautioning that failing to do so would jeopardize its relationship with the bloc.

"Should Israel continue its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put a heavy strain on the EU's relationship with Israel," the EU said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The European Union urges Israel to end its military operation in Rafah immediately," the bloc's Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell said while delivering the statement, warning that it was "further disrupting the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and is leading to more internal displacement, exposure to famine and human suffering."

Over one million Palestinians have been forcibly displaced by "Israel" from Rafah and surrounding areas so far, heading to other parts of the Strip which the United Nations deemed unsafe, the statement continued.

'Israel' must 'defend itself' in line with 'humanitarian law'

Meanwhile, the occupation has closed down all crossings for over a week now, blocking all aid into Gaza, where Palestinians are already facing a spread of famine and hospitals are shutting down due to the lack of fuel, leaving tens of thousands of the wounded at risk of dying. This included the recent occupation of the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

"While the EU recognizes Israel's right to defend itself, Israel must do so in line with International Humanitarian Law and provide safety to civilians," the EU said, which includes allowing humanitarian aid into the Strip.

The statement condemned Hamas' rocket strike targeting an Israeli military base near Karem Abu Salem crossing. The base was in fact being used as a staging zone to prepare for the Rafah ground offensive. The Resisatnce's strike resulted in the killing of four occupation soldiers.

"We call on all parties to redouble their efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas," it said.