1.5 million people ‘cannot simply vanish into thin air’: Germany
A “major offensive” in Rafah must not be launched, Germany says, after Israel sent tanks into the city in southern Gaza. “I warn against a major offensive on Rafah,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on X.
“A million people cannot simply vanish into thin air. They need protection. They need more humanitarian aid urgently … the Rafah and Kerem Shalom [Karem Abu Salem] border crossings must immediately be reopened.”
‘There is no Plan B for the people in Rafah’
More than 30 British NGOs have signed a joint statement urging the UK government to work urgently to prevent any further assault on Rafah.
In their statement, the signatories including Action Aid UK, Christian Aid UK, Care International UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Medical Aid for Palestinian, Oxfam GB and Save the Children UK said repeated statements by British politicians “have been ignored by Israel”.
“The failure of our leaders to back words with meaningful action is glaring,” the groups said, calling on the government to “finally act to stop the slaughter”.
“The UK must work urgently to stop any further assault on Rafah from going ahead, demand an immediate lasting ceasefire, resume funding to UNRWA, and suspend arms sales to Israel for as long as there is a risk they may be used to violate international humanitarian law,” they added.
“A ceasefire is the only way to stop the death and destruction, get more aid to those who desperately need it, and safely release the hostages.
“There is no Plan B for the people in Rafah.”
‘Forced displacement is a war crime’: UN
Israel has strict obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the safety of civilians in Gaza, a spokeswoman for the UN human rights office says.
The comments came hours after Israeli forces seized the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in a push against the southern city. Ravina Shamdasani said that, according to international law, Israel must ensure civilians have access to medical care, adequate food, safe water and sanitation.
“Failure to meet these obligations may amount to forced displacement, which is a war crime,” Shamdasani said. “There are strong indications that this [Rafah offensive] is being conducted in violation of international humanitarian law.”
Palestinians on the move after an evacuation order issued by the Israeli army in Rafah
Initial move into Rafah just the beggining: Mercy Corps aid worker
Saleem, an aid worker for Mercy Corps in Gaza, says he believes the initial Israeli invasion of the eastern area of Rafah signals the start of a larger military operation. “It’s a matter of time and all of Rafah will be invaded. There’s a pervasive fear that some areas will be suddenly bombed without prior evacuation warnings,” he said.
Saleem – whose name has been changed for safety reasons – said he’s thinking of heading to the central region, mostly Deir el-Balah, but the journey is “one of the most challenging things right now” as 1.5 million displaced people are also seeking to move.
Transportation costs 10 times more than usual with the average price $270. “There’s a genuine concern for a repeat of the famine scenario seen in the north. Should the invasion of Rafah persist without a ceasefire, the upcoming period will be marked by immense difficulty and tragedy.”
‘Israel will not end the war’: Former diplomat
Alon Liel, the former director general of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says Israel is “ready to pay the price, even if it’s high” internationally to go into Rafah.
“Israel will not end the war and there will be no wording in the agreement to release hostages for any permanent ceasefire, any permanent ending of the war. Everybody can just forget about it. The Israeli government is not strong enough to sign such a deal, it will fall if it does,” Liel told Al Jazeera.
“Only if there’s meaningful change to the text that exists now that Hamas agreed to, then we might see a deal. Israel sees this Hamas so-called acceptance of the deal as a Hamas offer, not as an American-backed deal. And this cannot be accepted,” he added.
The former diplomat noted it’s Holocaust Day and the US government will not pressure Israel. “The feeling is here if Israel is not accepting [the deal], the Americans will not push further, especially on such a day.”
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