Regarding the ground operation against Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, which the Israeli military is planning to carry out, High Representative Borrell, who is the foreign minister of the European Union, said, ``Military action should be carried out in Rafah, where there is already a devastating humanitarian crisis.'' We request that this not happen,'' the statement said.
The Israeli military, which continues to attack the Gaza Strip, is planning a ground operation in Rafah, the southernmost part of Gaza where more than 1.4 million people have evacuated, in order to destroy the Islamic organization Hamas.
Many countries have voiced serious concerns about this, and on the 17th, EU High Representative Borrell said on social media, ``We urge Israel not to take military action in Rafah, where there is already a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.'' issued a statement.
A joint statement from international human rights groups and NGOs said: "We are appalled by the tragic situation in Rafah. If Israel launches a ground offensive, thousands more civilians will be killed. The international community is strongly calling for an end to Israeli ground operations.
Many of the residents have repeatedly evacuated from northern and central Gaza to escape Israeli attacks, and have finally arrived in Rafah as their last refuge.
A man who evacuated to Rafah with his family from Gaza City in the north is living in a harsh tent in the cold, lacking food and water, and hopes only for the safety of his family. He also said that there is no safe place.
As the Israeli military continues to carry out airstrikes on Rafah and strengthens its stance toward carrying out ground operations, concerns are growing from the international community.
Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterates his intention to advance ground operations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said of the ground operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1.4 million Gaza residents have fled, ``Anyone who tries to stop our operations is the same as telling us to lose the war.'' He reiterated his intention to press ahead with the operation despite repeated voices of concern from the international community.