US do not support an Israeli offensive into Rafah: White House
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Plans to attack Rafah were announced earlier this month by the Israeli Security Ministry.
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White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre listens as National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Washington (AP)
US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel on Thursday said that the US will not be supportive of "Israel's" planned offensive in Rafah city in Gaza, noting that such a development would prove disastrous as it lacks "serious credible planning".
This comes as the Israeli military is currently preparing to invade the city of Rafah in Gaza's far south, where more than one million Palestinians have sought refuge. After failing to agree on concessions proposed by Hamas for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the war until the unrealistic goal of eliminating the resistance is reached.
"To conduct such an operation right now with no planning and little thought in an area where there is a sheltering of a million people would be a disaster," Patel said during a press briefing. "We would not support the undertaking of something like this without serious credible planning."
Patel further noted that the US has not seen any signs of serious planning regarding "Israel's" planned offensive in Rafah.
No signs of IOF preparing ground offensive in Rafah
White House Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby, on his part, said that there are no visible signs suggesting that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) are preparing an imminent ground offensive in Rafah.
"We've seen no indications that there's operational planning or at least planning at the level of specificity that tells us a major ground operation around Rafah is imminent. We just haven't seen a plan for it," said Kirby during a press briefing.
Kirby added that the US would not support any IOF military operation in Rafah unless it includes a plan to minimize civilian casualties and preserve the quality of life.
"And as I said, given the circumstances and the conditions there that we see right now, we think a military operation at this time would be a disaster for most people," Kirby added.
Read more: Israeli plans to make Gaza 'buffer zone' war crime: UN
Plans to attack Rafah were announced earlier this month by the Israeli Security Ministry.
This city, positioned along the Egyptian border, has become a refuge for the majority of Palestinians fleeing the relentless Israeli onslaughts and massacres throughout the Strip. Rafah, now overwhelmed with makeshift tent cities, has become a sanctuary for families desperately seeking respite from the occupation's violence that has besieged their lives.
"We complete the mission and will continue to Rafah," Yoav Gallant posted on social media on Friday, claiming that this comes after the occupation army "dismantled" the Resistance in Khan Younis.
Secretary of State Blinken on Wednesday did not call on "Israel" not to bomb Rafah after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "alarmed" by the prospects of the plan, but voiced concern.
"Israel has the responsibility -- has the obligation -- to do everything possible to ensure civilians are protected," Blinken said.
Read more: Netanyahu says IOF readying for Rafah attack, vows war 'till the end'
