The US warns that Israel faces a potential ‘disaster’ if it deploys troops into Gaza’s Rafah

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously stated that he had instructed troops to “get ready for operations” in Rafah.

On Thursday, the United States cautioned Israel against potential “disaster” if it deploys troops into Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians have sought shelter.

The cautionary message followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that he had directed troops to “ready themselves for action” in Rafah, the final significant town in the Gaza Strip where Israeli ground forces have not yet intervened.

On Thursday, Israel’s military escalated its airstrikes on the city amidst increasing concerns of potential ground combat among the hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced from other areas of Gaza. These individuals are currently seeking refuge in tents and structures damaged by bombings.

UN chief Antonio Guterres cautioned that any military incursion into Rafah would significantly worsen the existing humanitarian crisis, amplifying its severity.

Intense combat persisted despite global attempts to broker a ceasefire in the deadliest Gaza conflict ever, initiated by Hamas’s assault on southern Israel on October 7th.

Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel of the State Department stated that Washington has not observed any substantial indications of deliberate preparation for a ground operation in Rafah.

Observing that Rafah serves as a vital gateway for humanitarian assistance bound for Gaza, Patel remarked that an attack of such nature is something that Washington would not endorse.

“Undertaking such an operation at present, lacking planning and careful consideration, would result in a catastrophe.”

Patel stated that Secretary of State Antony Blinken directly communicated Washington’s concerns to Netanyahu during their discussions in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

In a public statement, the highest-ranking US diplomat cautioned that any military action undertaken by Israel must prioritize the safety of civilians above all else.

Blinken departed from Israel without achieving a cessation in hostilities, concluding his fifth emergency visit to the Middle East since the onset of the conflict.

According to AFP reporters, Israel conducted a minimum of seven airstrikes overnight in the Rafah vicinity, causing fear among civilians who were packed into shelters and makeshift camps.

Resident Umm Hassan, aged 48, expressed, “These airstrikes serve as evidence that Rafah is not a safe place,” noting that her residence was affected by the bombardment near the house of a local police chief.

“Observe the residential structure they recently destroyed,” he remarked. “Regarding Netanyahu’s warning of invading Rafah, we are individuals of faith. We remain untroubled. Life is singular, and God is singular.”

Strikes and ground clashes persisted throughout the Hamas-governed region, now in its fifth month of conflict, with the health ministry reporting an additional 130 casualties within a 24-hour period.

Blinken concluded his fifth visit to the region, where US forces have become involved in associated conflicts ranging from Iraq to Yemen.

Regarding the ceasefire discussions, Blinken reiterated his belief that there remains “room for reaching an agreement” to stop the conflict and repatriate hostages.

An Egyptian official announced that Egypt would be hosting fresh discussions with negotiators from Qatar and Hamas, aiming to achieve a state of “calm” in Gaza and facilitate a prisoner-hostage exchange.

The Israeli prime minister dismissed what he characterized as Hamas’s “unusual demands” during the negotiations.

Cairo truce talks –

Blinken informed reporters that Hamas’s counter-proposal had provided a chance to continue negotiations.

“We acknowledge that there are certain elements within Hamas’s response that are not viable options. Nevertheless, we believe it opens up opportunities for reaching an agreement, and we are committed to pursuing negotiations tirelessly until we achieve that goal,” he stated.

A delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya, a prominent member of the group’s political bureau, was reported to be en route to Cairo, according to Hamas.

A Gaza-based Palestinian official with close ties to the militant group later informed AFP: “We anticipate that the negotiations will be highly intricate and challenging.”

The official, speaking anonymously, stated, “Hamas is willing to engage in discussions, and the organization is eager to achieve a ceasefire.”

‘War crime’ charge –

The attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,160 people, with the majority being civilians, as per an AFP count based on official Israeli data.

Israel pledged to eradicate Hamas and initiated airstrikes and a ground assault, resulting in the deaths of at least 27,840 individuals, primarily women and children, as reported by the Gaza health ministry.

Militants also captured approximately 250 hostages. Israel reports that 132 are still held in Gaza, with 29 fatalities presumed among them.

The prolonged period of bombing and blockade has exacerbated a humanitarian emergency, particularly in southern Gaza.

“Their living conditions are extremely poor,” remarked UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths. “They are deprived of essential resources for survival, facing hunger, illness, and mortality.”

UN human rights chief Volker Turk accused Israel of committing a “war crime” by reportedly demolishing buildings to establish a “buffer zone” along the Gaza border.

In a statement, he asserted that Israel’s “widespread destruction of property, which lacks justification based on military necessity and is unlawfully and recklessly carried out, constitutes a serious violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and constitutes a war crime.”

The Gaza conflict has led to increased violence throughout the region, with Iran-backed groups aligning with Hamas, prompting retaliatory strikes from Israel and its allies, including the United States.

On Wednesday, a senior commander from a pro-Iran armed group was killed in Iraq as a result of a US airstrike, stated US Central Command, attributing responsibility to the commander for directly orchestrating and engaging in attacks against US forces.

The airstrike occurred following a series of attacks by Washington on targets associated with Iran in Iraq and Syria, which were initiated last week subsequent to the deaths of three US troops in Jordan, a neighboring country.

The Israeli military acknowledged that it had directed an attack towards a commander of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, whom it deemed accountable for the recent rocket attacks originating from southern Lebanon into Israel.

As part of diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict, Jordan’s King Abdullah II embarked on a tour of the United States, Canada, France, and Germany, as announced by the royal court.