Early today, Tuesday, the UN Security Council held an open session to discuss the situation in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. The session raised warnings about the repercussions of any Israeli military operation there.
During the session, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wensland, expressed his fear that the worst would happen if negotiations between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel were not resumed.
“I urge all parties to redouble their efforts and return to the negotiating table immediately and in good faith,” Wensland said.
He also reiterated “the United States’ full support for the mediators who worked tirelessly to achieve this goal, and we are ready to support the implementation of such an agreement.”
He continued, “If negotiations do not resume, I fear the worst for the trapped and terrified civilians in Rafah and for the hostages held in unimaginable conditions for 225 days.”
Opening the Rafah crossing
For its part, America called on Israel to open the Rafah crossing “now” and “without delay,” and said through the deputy American delegate to the Security Council that Israel must take decisive measures to correct the situation and ensure the protection of civilians.
She continued, “We have proposed alternatives to a major ground attack in Rafah that we believe will better advance Israel’s goal.”
In turn, Britain confirmed through its deputy delegate to the UN Security Council that it would not support an expanded operation in Rafah under the current circumstances.
As for the Russian delegate to the Security Council, he said that he was awaiting the results of the investigation into the mass graves in Gaza, which Moscow had demanded.
He added, “The Israeli leadership is determined to continue hostilities despite its inability to achieve its declared goals.”
