Israeli Threat to Attack Rafah in Gaza
Israel has recently escalated airstrikes on Rafah, raising concerns about a potential offensive in the Gaza strip aimed at eliminating Hamas’ remaining battalions.
Palestinian President’s Plea to the United States
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has urged the United States to intervene and prevent an Israeli invasion of the border city of Rafah in Gaza. Speaking at a special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Abbas emphasized the crucial role of the US in halting the impending attack.
Warning of a Humanitarian Crisis
Abbas warned that the anticipated Israeli offensive could lead to a mass evacuation in the region, forcing people out of the besieged Palestinian enclave. He described the potential consequences as the “biggest catastrophe in the Palestinian people’s history.”
“What will happen in the coming days is what Israel will do with attacking Rafah because all the Palestinians from Gaza are gathered there,” Abbas stated.
Rejection of Displacement
Expressing strong opposition to the displacement of Palestinians into neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt, Abbas stressed the importance of Palestinians remaining in their homeland. He voiced concerns that an Israeli operation in Gaza could result in Palestinians seeking refuge in Jordan, further exacerbating the situation.
Abbas firmly stated, “We will not accept by any case the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank outside their homeland. We must not repeat the Nakba of 1948 and of 1967.”
International Calls for Restraint
Various countries, including Israel’s close ally, the United States, have urged Tel Aviv to refrain from attacking the southern city of Rafah. The city serves as a refuge for over a million Palestinians who fled previous Israeli assaults.
