Israeli operation on Rafah to be devastating for civilians: UN chief
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The Secretary-General of the United Nations warns that the Israeli occupation's plans for an invasion of Rafah would be devastating for the 1.5 million displaced in the area.
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United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres addresses the audience during the Munich Security Conference at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, Germany, February 16, 2024 (AP)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lamented Friday the situation in Rafah and warned that any plans for an offensive on Rafah would be devestating for the area that now holds 1.5 million people displaced from elsewhere in Gaza.
"Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Israel’s military response," he underlined.
"The situation in Gaza is an appalling indictment of the deadlock in global relations. The level of death and destruction is shocking in itself," the UN chief added at the Munich Security Conference.
Commenting on regional developments, he highlighted that the war was "also spilling over borders across the region and affecting global trade. The humanitarian aid operation is now on life support. It is barely functioning."
"Rafah is at the core of the entire humanitarian aid operation," he warned again. "An all-out offensive on the city would be devastating for Palestinian civilians who are already on the edge of survival."
It is expected that the participation in the Munich conference will be significant, with more than 50 heads of state, around 60 foreign ministers, and over 25 defense ministers expected to partake in it. Additionally, numerous political and military representatives, as well as hundreds of experts and journalists, are slated to attend the current edition, which continues until February 18th.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin said the next phase of the ground invasion in Gaza after Khan Younis will be Rafah, noting that the war on the Strip "will continue till the end."
In a Wednesday press conference, Netanyahu said that reaching "victory" in Gaza will require "months" and not years, and this can't be accomplished with the "military collapse [of Resistance Hamas]. There will not be a civilian collapse [of Gaza government] without a military one."
"We are on the way to complete victory. The victory is within reach," he claimed. "I set absolute victory as the goal from the start,” he said, adding, "We won't settle for any less than that."
A report by Politico cited three US officials as saying that the Biden administration does not intend to punish the Israeli occupation in the event of a ground invasion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah that neglects civilian safety.
According to the US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, "no reprimand plans are in the works, meaning Israeli forces could enter the city and harm civilians without facing American consequences."
This comes at a time as a ground invasion of the city of Rafah looms, as Netanyahu told troops to prepare for an offensive in the southern city, which now hosts more than half of Gaza's total population.
Foreign governments, including "Israel's" key ally, the United States, and aid groups have voiced deep concern over Netanyahu's plan.
A week prior, the United States administration addressed a letter to "Israel" requesting a pause in aggression on Rafah during the holy month of Ramadan, Israeli media reported.
The political analyst of the Israeli channel Kan, Amichai Stein, stated that this "categorical American message shows their fear of "Israel's" conduct in Rafah during Ramadan because not only would it escalate the situation in Gaza, but the entire region as well."
