A previous meeting between Macron (left) and Netanyahu in occupied Jerusalem (Anatolia)
French President Emmanuel Macron escalated his tone on Sunday towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterating his “strong opposition” to Israel’s attack on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, and warning that “the forced transfer of residents there constitutes a war crime.”
Agence France-Presse reported that Macron warned of a possible Israeli attack and repeated - during a phone call with Netanyahu - his call for an “immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza,” and “strongly” condemned the recent Israeli announcements regarding settlements in the West Bank.
Netanyahu said today that Israel will enter Rafah, “and evil cannot be defeated by leaving it alone there,” as part of his assurances that he will launch a military operation in Rafah, despite mounting international and UN warnings about the dangers of this and its consequences on Palestinian civilians for whom the city represents a last refuge.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in the middle of this month that Netanyahu had approved plans to launch a military operation in Rafah, while the United Nations and the United States warned of the "catastrophic" consequences of a potential invasion.
A destroyed building as a result of Israeli raids on Rafah (Anatolia)
The Prime Minister's Office added, in a statement, that "the Israeli army is ready for the operational aspect and to evacuate the population," without providing details about this operation that Tel Aviv has been threatening for weeks.
Netanyahu also previously accused officials in Israel of cooperating with the Americans to prevent the invasion of Rafah, in light of Washington's demand from Tel Aviv for a plan that guarantees the safety of civilians.
This comes as the Israeli war on Gaza continues for the 170th day, leaving tens of thousands of martyrs, wounded and missing amid a humanitarian situation described as catastrophic and famine looming over the Strip.
Source: Al Jazeera + French