France urges 'Israel' to halt Rafah invasion immediately

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 May 2024 13:45

The French Foreign Ministry issues a statement urging "Israel" to halt its full-scale invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on residential areas east of Rafah, Gaza Strip. (AP)

The French Foreign Ministry has urged "Israel" on Saturday to halt full-blown invasion of Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip.

"We call on the Israeli authorities to immediately cease this military operation and to resume the path of negotiations, the only one that can lead to the immediate release of the hostages and the achievement of a sustainable ceasefire," the Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

It also voiced its concern over the Israeli invasion of Rafah, stating that it poses a severe threat to the civilians in the enclave. These civilians have already faced multiple displacements and have "no safe places left" in the Gaza Strip, as per the statement.

'Israel' decides to expand Rafah invasion amid int'l outrage

The Israeli war cabinet on Friday approved an expansion of the Israeli occupation forces' area of invasion in the southern Gaza city, Axios reported.

This decision occurs despite US President Joe Biden's recent statement warning that if "Israel" were to invade Rafah, where over a million displaced Palestinians seek refuge, the US would cease supplying artillery shells, bombs for fighter jets, and other offensive weapons.

Sources familiar with the details told Axios that the expansion of military operations is "measured" and intends to address alleged security concerns without crossing Biden's declared "red line".

Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the closure of the Rafah border crossing, which is the only available land pathway into the besieged Gaza Strip via Egypt, will affect fuel and aid supplied, as well as the movement of civilians.

OCHA said in a statement that the Strip's hospitals will be out of service if energy supplies are not delivered to them within the next 24 hours.

Israel has blocked all entrances to Gaza.

Babies are facing death due to the lack of fuel and medicine.

Is this not Terrorism?

Is this not a Genocide on Babies?

ALL EYES ON RAFAH pic.twitter.com/fVjpQLwVS3
— Khalissee (@Kahlissee) May 11, 2024

The organization has also stated that all crossings into the southern Gaza Strip remain closed, cutting off supplies and preventing medical evacuations, and the movement of humanitarian staff.