EU's top diplomat concerned about Israeli plans
EU Chief Diplomat Josep Borrell has expressed concern about Israel's plans to attack the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip because of the possible consequences for civilians.
He published a statement on February 9.
Borrell noted that there are currently about 1.4 million Palestinian civilians in the city who have nowhere to flee and are threatened with starvation.
"Reports of an Israeli military offensive on Rafah are alarming. It would have catastrophic consequences and would worsen the already poor humanitarian situation and unbearably high civilian casualties," said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
On the afternoon of February 9, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Palestinian civilians in the city of Rafah should evacuate and will be given the opportunity to do so before the operation begins.
"It is impossible to achieve the goal of the war - the destruction of the Hamas group - while leaving four more Hamas battalions in Rafah," the Prime Minister's Office said.
Author - Olena Madiak, 09/02/2024
