The European Union spokesperson, Luis Miguel Bueno, stated that the Union has requested Israel not to carry out a military operation in Rafah.
Bueno, in special comments to Sky News Arabia, added that any operation in Palestinian Rafah would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis the sector is suffering from. Bueno clarified that the European Union is very concerned about the Israeli government’s plans for a potential ground operation in Rafah and emphasized that civilians are paying the highest price in this war. The European Union spokesperson confirmed the top priority is the release of hostages, ending the suffering of civilians in and around Gaza, and the necessity of expanding the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The potential Israeli military operation in Rafah has garnered widespread international concern due to the humanitarian implications and the risk of further escalating the already severe crisis in Gaza. The Rafah offensive, planned as part of Israel’s broader invasion of the Gaza Strip, involves intensified airstrikes and ground operations aimed at eradicating Hamas brigades believed to be present in the city. This operation has raised alarms over potential high casualties and further displacement of civilians, given Rafah’s status as the most populous city in the Gaza Strip, currently housing more than 1.4 million people .
The European Union, through its foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, and other international leaders have vocally opposed the operation, citing unspeakable humanitarian catastrophes and grave tensions with Egypt as potential outcomes. The United States has also expressed concern, highlighting the lack of evidence for serious planning of such an operation and its potential to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis . UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN’s human rights chief, Volker Türk, have echoed these sentiments, warning of the dire consequences on the already precarious humanitarian situation in Gaza .
Moreover, Rafah’s geographical position, abutting the Egyptian border, complicates the situation. Egypt has increased security along its border in anticipation of potential spillover effects and has warned of the operation’s disastrous consequences, which could undermine the longstanding peace accord between Egypt and Israel . The city has become a last refuge for displaced Gazans from other parts of the Strip, making it a critical point for humanitarian aid entry and the livelihood of Gaza’s residents under siege .
In response to the growing crisis, international voices, including the Norwegian Refugee Council and Human Rights Watch, have called for restraint and the prioritization of humanitarian aid and civilian protection. They highlight the severe conditions in Rafah, where overcrowding and a lack of basic necessities have led to outbreaks of diseases and a dire need for international humanitarian intervention