Blinken warns against Rafah assault over civilian harm concerns
5:17 AM EDT, May 4, 2024
At the forefront of U.S. diplomatic efforts, Blinken emphasized that Israel has yet to outline a strategy for safeguarding civilians should the attack proceed. "Without a plan to protect the civilian population, we cannot endorse a large-scale military campaign in Rafah. The expected damage would be intolerable," Blinken stated. Last Friday, he shared these thoughts at the McCain Institute forum in Sedona, Arizona.
Israel has identified Rafah as a key target in its mission to dismantle Hamas. Situated in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, bordering Egypt, Rafah has offered sanctuary to an influx of refugees displaced by military operations elsewhere in the region. These individuals, enduring harsh conditions and facing the threat of starvation, anxiously await the outcome.