Australia, Canada and New Zealand say “there is nowhere for civilians to go” and urge Israel to “listen to its friends.”
World leaders are stepping up pressure on Israel to abandon plans for a ground offensive in Rafah amid an exodus from the southern Gaza city once declared a “safe zone” that is home to more than half of Gaza’s population. the enclave is underway.
As Israel stepped up its airstrikes and artillery fire, Australia, Canada and New Zealand issued a joint statement on Thursday calling for an “immediate” humanitarian ceasefire, warning that the operation planned by Israel would have a “devastating” impact on the Palestinians. refuge in the region.
“There is simply nowhere for civilians to go,” said the three countries’ prime ministers, Anthony Albanese, Justin Trudeau and Christopher Luxon, adding that Israel “must listen to its friends.”
The leaders stressed that many of their own citizens and families were among the 1.4 million displaced Palestinians, who have been driven into makeshift camps in Gaza’s southernmost city by Israel’s relentless bombardment. on the Gaza Strip.
Joint declaration with @JustinTrudeau And @chrisluxonmp. pic.twitter.com/Egqy6ZyrtZ
– Anthony Albanais (@AlboMP) February 15, 2024
Spain and Ireland also put pressure on Israel on Wednesday, asking the European Commission to urgently verify whether Israel is respecting its human rights obligations in Gaza.
In a joint letter, Pedro Sanchez and Leo Varadkar, Prime Ministers of Spain and Ireland respectively, said the Rafah attack constituted “a serious and imminent threat that the international community must urgently address.”
“Stop and think seriously.”
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Israel should “stop and think seriously” before launching its ground invasion of Rafah.
Asked whether Israel had violated international law, he replied Monday: “We think it’s impossible to see how you can wage a war between these people.” They have nowhere to go.
Alexandre De Croothe Belgian Prime Minister, declared that any operation in Rafah could generate a “total humanitarian catastrophe”, just as did Annalena Baerbockthe foreign minister of Germany, one of Israel’s staunchest allies.
The Arab League chief warned that an Israeli offensive in Rafah would lead to “a humanitarian disaster” and threaten the region’s stability.
“We call on all parties who understand the seriousness of the situation to act immediately to put an end to these senseless plans,” Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Thursday.
“What do justice and international organizations mean if they remain incapable of enforcing a ceasefire and putting an end to these horrible daily massacres? he added.
South Korea expressed deep concern over Israel’s plans and called for the protection of civilians in accordance with international laws, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
US President Joe Biden, who is widely condemned for his unconditional support for Israel’s war on Gaza, has reportedly expressed his frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu behind closed doors.
Recalling Biden’s comments last week that Israel’s response to the October 7 Hamas attacks that sparked the current conflict had been “exaggerated,” European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said said Washington should reduce arms deliveries to Israel.
“Well, if you think too many people are being killed, maybe you should provide fewer weapons in order to avoid so many people being killed,” Borrell told reporters after a meeting of EU ministers development aid in Brussels.
Despite pressure from foreign governments and humanitarian agencies to end its planned operation in Rafah, Israel insists it must enter the town near the border with Egypt and eliminate Hamas battalions.
“We will fight until complete victory and that includes strong action also in Rafah after allowing the civilian population to leave the combat zones,” Netanyahu said on Wednesday.
If the assault continues, the risk of atrocities is “serious, real and high”, said UN special adviser on the prevention of genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu.
Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 28,663 Palestinians and injured 68,395 since October 7, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The death toll from Hamas attacks in Israel stands at 1,139.