The death toll rises to 22 Israeli air raids on Rafah of this night, in the south of Gaza Strip. Among the victims were five children, of which the smallest was just five days old, according to Palestinian health officials. They would have been in the attacks Three homes were affected: in the first there were eleven victims, according to the records of the Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospital, where the bodies were taken. In the second, eight people were killed, including a 33-year-old father and his five-day-old son, according to hospital records. In the third house hit, three brothers died. The news was confirmed by a reporter fromAssociated Press who was able to see the bodies in the hospital after the attack.
The target of the raids on Rafah
The air raids that occurred this night by the Israeli fighters on some private houses in Rafah, they were intended to strike objectives of the Palestinian factions in view of the imminent ground offensive in the area. The offensive, announced for some time but always postponed, would be increasingly closer and this is demonstrated by the new war plans approved yesterday by the Tel Aviv army for the “continuation of the war“. For the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, the attack on Rafah is a matter of days and for this reason he urged the United States to intervene, considering them the only ones capable of preventing the operation. “They assured us that they will not go to Rafah until we have had a chance to truly share our perspectives and concerns with them“, assured White House spokesman John Kirby.
Abu Mazen, the Palestinian president, said: “Only the Americans can stop them.”
But the continuation of operations is partially in the hands of negotiations held by Egypt: even the minister of the Israeli war cabinet feared the possibility of an Israel-Hamas agreement Benny Gantz who reiterated how the safety of the Israeli camps is superior to any military operation on the field. In fact, a delegation from the Palestinian group is expected in Cairo today to discuss Israel’s proposal and give a response that could determine the fate of the raid for which the Jewish state has been preparing for weeks.
The Biden-Netanyahu phone call: there will be no US support in the Rafah invasion
Just yesterday, new telephone contact between the president of the United States Joe Biden and the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu“reiterating his clear position” regarding the probable offensive of the Israeli Defense Forces on Rafah. Biden also spoke with Netanyahu regarding the fate of the Israeli hostages still detained and the possibility of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. In recent weeks, Washington has repeatedly warned that it will not support an Israeli military operation against Rafah in the absence of credible plans for the evacuation and humanitarian assistance of Palestinian civilians. White House Security Council Spokesperson, John Kirbysaid Israel agreed to listen to Washington’s concerns and opinions before proceeding with the invasion.
In a note from Pennsylvania Avenue, Biden also reaffirmed his firm commitment to the security of Israel following the successful defense against Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack earlier this month. He also took stock of the ongoing talks to secure the release of the hostages and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Biden, furthermore, “he referred to his statement, together with 17 other world leaders, in which he called on Hamas to release its citizens without delay to ensure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza. The President and Prime Minister also discussed increasing humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including through preparations for the opening of new northern crossings starting this week. The President underlined the need for this progress to be sustained and strengthened in full coordination with humanitarian organizations“.
Egypt and Jordan against the offensive on Rafah, Blinken’s visit
As negotiations continue, Egypt And Jordan they have both asked Israel to absolutely avoid an attack on Rafah, which would cause a humanitarian disaster. The heat is looming, and this is already greatly worsening the sanitary conditions here and in the Strip. They talked about it in front of the World Economic Forum extraordinary ongoing in Riyadh. “We must do our best to avoid it. Any attack on Rafah will cause disaster and displacement of Palestinians“, said Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly, reporting the concern before Egypt, that thousands of displaced people could enter the country. Jordanian Prime Minister Bashar al-Hasawneh also added that “an operation in Rafah would be a disaster and the world must unite to reach a ceasefire and ensure aid reaches Gaza“.
The US Secretary of State is expected in the area today Anthony Blinken, who arrived in Riyadh at the start of a new tour in the Middle Eastern region. The new trip to the region is aimed at promoting a truce between Israel and Hamas, a hostage agreement and increasing humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
According to what was announced by the US State Department, Blinken, who will subsequently visit Jordan and Israel, will meet in the Saudi capital the Arab and European Gulf foreign ministers who are visiting on the plans of the “day after” for the reconstruction of post-conflict Gaza.
