![]() The US, Israel's staunchest ally, has said it will not support such an operation without the Israelis presenting a credible plan to ensure the safety of civilians.īunkall said an assault on Rafah does not seem to be imminent but that the world is "increasingly concerned that Israel is gearing up for it", with all of the humanitarian consequences that could have. ![]() Over the weekend we learnt that Israel is still planning to push ahead with an assault on Rafah, in Gaza's south. ![]() ![]() If that means going into the southern city of Rafah, then that is what the Israelis plan to do." "For his part, the Israeli prime minister has been defiant and adamant that Israel will pursue its war aims, specifically, the release of all the hostages and the elimination of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. "We have seen over recent weeks, in the absence of communication between the two leaders, quite a public spat between Israel and Washington, the US president making it very clear that he is not happy with the way that this war is being fought and the lack of humanitarian aid that is getting into Gaza. Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall is in Jerusalem and says the US and Israeli leaders would have had a lot to discuss during their 45-minute call. Which is already precarious and intermittent, would then be Mr McGoldrick said: "If there was to be an incursion, that (aid) system we have, In desperation, a small group of countries has resorted to dropping aid from the air and deliveries have finally been arriving by sea - but neither of these makes up for the capacity that should be brought in by road.Īnd, as has been confirmed today, the need is immense - the UN says famine is "imminent" in northern Gaza and people in the rest of the enclave are struggling to access food. It is already extremely difficult to get aid into Gaza due to the security situation and Israeli restrictions. Not in a position to pre-position shelter, material, food, "We are not in a position to contingency plan that. The possibility of hundreds of thousands of people being forced "It would be a really difficult scenario for us to envisage United Nations humanitarian coordinator Jamie McGoldrick said aid operations in Gaza cannot be planned more than two or three days ahead at the moment because of the instability and uncertainty. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during the weekend that the assault was still necessary to "eliminate the remaining terrorist battalions in Rafah".īut for those who are trying to arrange aid deliveries - and those who are desperately waiting for them - the lack of certainty is already risking lives. "Anarchy reigns in areas that Israel's military has cleared but not stabilised," he said.įor those following the situation in the Middle East, one of the big questions is when - or if - Israel will launch its assault on Rafah. Looking across the rest of Gaza, Mr Sullivan said a "humanitarian crisis" had descended. Mr Sullivan said a major ground offensive would be a "mistake" and would "further isolate Israel internationally".īearing in mind that Rafah is a primary entry point for aid from Egypt and Israel, he said an invasion would also "shut that down or at least put it at grave risk right at the moment when it is sorely needed". The call between the two leaders also comes amid US frustration with Israel's conduct during the war, including accusations that it has prevented from getting into the enclave. Israel said last weekend that it planned to launch an assault on Rafah, but there is growing concern about the safety of civilians in the city - where more than one million people fled to after being ordered to evacuate other parts of Gaza by Israel. The team will include military intelligence and humanitarian officials but it was not clear when they would travel to the US. The news comes from US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who was speaking after a call between Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel's prime minister has agreed to send a team of officials to Washington DC so "an alternative approach" can be discussed with regards to Israel's plans for Rafah.
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