Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed on Tuesday Israel's commitment to continue its military campaign in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, despite mounting international pressure urging restraint.
With Rafah being one of the last relatively safe areas amidst the ongoing conflict, concerns have been raised globally about the potential humanitarian impact of Israeli military action in the region, where 1.5 million people have sought shelter.
In a video address to a conference of the pro-Israel AIPAC organization in Washington DC, Netanyahu assured that Israel would proceed with its operations in Rafah while striving to minimize harm to the civilian population.
However, European Union leaders are preparing to convey a strong message to Israel, urging it to refrain from launching a ground operation in Rafah. A draft text of conclusions for an upcoming summit emphasizes the need for Israel to consider the safety of over a million Palestinians seeking shelter in Rafah and their access to humanitarian assistance.
The draft text underscores the EU's concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict and the humanitarian consequences of further military action in Rafah. It will require the unanimous approval of all 27 EU national leaders at the summit scheduled for March 21 and 22.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has criticized Netanyahu's handling of the conflict, stating that the Israeli prime minister is "hurting Israel more than helping" by conducting the war in a manner inconsistent with the country's values. Biden's remarks reflect growing international scrutiny of Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip and the broader impact on regional stability and humanitarian concerns.
