Scholz cautions Israel against commencing an offensive in Rafah.
There's a growing worry about the Israeli military's decision to expand its operation in the Gaza Strip's southernmost region. Tens of thousands of Palestinians are being advised to vacate their homes. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz views this move towards Rafah as "careless."
In a gathering organized by Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Chancellor Scholz cautioned the Israeli government against launching an assault on Rafah, deeming it "irresponsible." He finds it unlikely that such an operation could be executed "without significant human costs." While addressing arms delivery concerns, Scholz stated that the German government would only send weapons when it could confirm that they would not be employed in contentious legal scenarios. Germany hasn't been providing arms to Israel like the US, he added.
The Israeli army has been urging residents in Rafah to relocate from other regions of the city. This development fuels concerns regarding an increase in military operations in the Gaza Strip's southernmost city. UNRWA employees report that families are frantically gathering their possessions all over the city. "The streets are considerably emptier," one staff member penned on X. Earlier in the week, Israel dispatched ground troops to the eastern outskirts of Rafah to broaden their fight against Hamas. Since then, UNRWA reports that 150,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah. The Israelis mention that about 300,000 people have already left.
USA issues warning on arms support
Israel's actions in the part of the walled-off Mediterranean coastline bordering Egypt have caused global outcry. Over a million people who had evacuated other regions in Gaza were crammed in this area. Aid organizations anticipate that an escalation in Israel's offensive might lead to hundreds of thousands of civilians being constrained between the battle lines. The fragile supply chain for these residents might cease entirely.
The US, Israel's main supporter, is urgently cautioning the country against launching a widespread offensive. US President Joe Biden even hinted at restrictions on supplying weapons. The conflict hasn't spread to the densely populated heart of Rafah, which houses numerous makeshift refugee camps. However, on Saturday, the Israeli military requested the population to evacuate other parts, including the central area, of the city.
In an Arabic announcement shared via Platform X—which combines text messages and leaflets—the military disclosed which regions were being targeted. The 300,000 people living in these regions were ordered to move promptly to the coastal region's village of Al-Mawasi. Aid organizations are unsure if sufficient care can be afforded to such a large number of individuals in this location.
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In response to Germany's concerns, the Israeli government should reconsider its decision to launch an operation in Rafah, given the potential "significant human costs." The ongoing conflicts and wars in the Gaza Strip, such as the one surrounding Rafah, have led to a large-scale displacement of Palestinians, with over 150,000 people fleeing Rafah alone.
Source: www.ntv.de
