Monday 6 May 2024
As Israel has ordered evacuation from Rafah area in south Gaza, the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell has called on the Israeli authorities to “renounce” the idea of a ground offensive on Rafah.
Josep Borrell Fontelles wrote on social media on Monday that "Israel's evacuation orders to civilians in Rafah portend the worst: more war and famine. It is unacceptable."
He added that "Israel must renounce to a ground offensive and implement UNSCR 2728. The EU, with the International Community, can and must act to prevent such scenario."
The French embassy in Israel has also issued a statement saying Emmanuel Macron spoke on Sunday with Netanyahu on the phone.
The president reiterated that France’s top priority is the release of all the captives as he encouraged Netanyahu to pursue a ceasefire, it said in a post on X.
Macron also reiterated his firm opposition to the planned Israeli offensive on Rafah and the urgent need to ensure a massive entry of humanitarian aid through all access points to the Gaza Strip, the embassy added.
On March 24, Macron had warned Netanyahu that any forced transfer of people from Rafah would constitute “a war crime”.
'Horrific suffering'
Israel'z offensive "could lead to the deadliest phase of this conflict, inflicting horrific suffering on approximately 1.4 million displaced civilians in the area", the secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Jan Egeland, warned in a statement.
Natalie Roberts, the executive director of Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, has also called on the UK government to explain why it has not condemned Israel’s planned offensive on Rafah.
Israeli forces have killed 34,735 Palestinians in its seven-month war on Gaza, according to the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave.
At least 78,108 people have been injured in the relentless Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, the ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Even the Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, has criticised the recent announcements, threats and irresponsible statements made by government ministers and the prime minister regarding the captives.
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