The escalating conflict in Rafah, southern Gaza, has drawn international attention as Israeli forces continue their advance into the city. White House spokesman John Kirby has stated that the US does not believe Israel has launched a full-scale invasion of Rafah, despite reports of Israeli forces reaching the city center and seizing a strategically important hill overlooking the border with Egypt.
US President Joe Biden had previously warned that he would limit weapons supplies to Israel if they entered the “population centers” of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are still believed to be sheltering. The recent Israeli strike at a camp for displaced people in Rafah, which killed at least 45 Palestinians, has raised concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
The US state department is closely monitoring the situation and has called for a quick and thorough investigation into the strike. However, there are growing calls for President Biden to put greater pressure on the Israeli government to minimize civilian casualties and ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The international community has also condemned the violence in Rafah, with regional governments such as Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey speaking out against the Israeli military operations. The UN has reported that around a million people have fled the fighting in Rafah, with several hundred thousand more still believed to be sheltering in the city.
As the conflict continues to escalate, there are fears of further civilian casualties and humanitarian consequences. The situation in Rafah remains tense, with reports of heavy bombardment and ongoing military operations against “terror targets.” The international community is calling for an end to the violence and a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza.
