World condemnation grows over Israeli Rafah offensive

With each passing day, rising tensions and new deaths in Gaza are bringing the ethnic cleansing of an entire Gazan populace closer to becoming a reality. [1]

Contents

International calls for ceasefire UK urges Netanyahu to “stop and think”; UN warns on genocide Gaza death toll continues to rise Some points of reflection Analysis Also read

However, international leaders are now starting to ramp up pressure on the Zionist state to bring an abrupt stop to the ground offensive in Rafah.

It is evident that many are anticipating a huge exodus and loss of life from and in the southern Palestinian city which was once ironically declared a “safe zone” by Israel itself. [1]

International calls for ceasefire

New Zealand, Australia, and Canada issued a joint statement on Thursday, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. [2]

They cautioned that Israel’s planned operation would have a devastating impact on Palestinians seeking refuge in the densely populated city of Rafah.

The Prime Ministers of the these Commonwealth nations — Christopher Luxon, Anthony Albanese, and Justin Trudeau — said,

“We urge the Israeli government not to go down this path. There is simply nowhere else for civilians to go.

“There is growing international consensus. Israel must listen to its friends and it must listen to the international community. The protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law.” [2]

Spain and Ireland have also demanded action, pressuring the European Commission to review the Zionist state’s compliance with human rights obligations in Gaza, further highlighting that the threat remains palpable in Rafah.

Pedro Sánchez and Leo Varadkar, the Prime Ministers of Spain and Ireland respectively, said in a joint letter on 14 February,

“We are deeply concerned at the deteriorating situation in Israel and in Gaza, especially the impact the ongoing conflict is having on innocent Palestinians, especially children and women.

“The expanded Israeli military operation in the Rafah area poses a grave and imminent threat that the international community must urgently confront.” [3]

UK urges Netanyahu to “stop and think”; UN warns on genocide

Meanwhile, the British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has demanded that Israel “stop and think seriously” before conducting a ground incursion into Rafah. [1]

Cameron, who previously held the office of Prime Minister between 2010 and 2016, pointed to the desperately urgent humanitarian situation and the fact that there are no escape routes for civilians caught up in the Israeli bombardment.

Likewise, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, warned about the risk of atrocities in Rafah:

“It is imperative that the protection of civilians is prioritised and that international humanitarian law is respected at all times. Enough of violence and enough of suffering of those who are most vulnerable, in Rafah and in the entire Gaza Strip.

“The risk of commission of atrocity crimes should a full military incursion into Rafah take place, is serious, real, and high.

“Since 7 October, civilians in the region have experienced and continue to experience an insurmountable level of suffering. This must end and must end now.” [4]

Gaza death toll continues to rise

The numbers injured or martyred is not slowing down, despite tens of thousands of Palestinians falling into either category over an extremely short period.

Despite all the pressure from foreign governments to put an end to its planned Rafah operation, the apartheid state is bulldozing ahead, further endangering the lives of millions more displaced civilians.

As the war criminal and leader of the apartheid state Benjamin Netanyahu stated on 14 January,

“We will fight until complete victory, and this includes powerful action in Rafah after we allow the civilian population to leave the battle zones.” [5]

Some points of reflection

As world damnation mounts and leaders find no choice but to air the views of their respective citizens, we should all be prompted to think about the following points:

A densely populated city, which is considered a safe zone, cannot possibly be subjected to airstrikes and killings.
The genocide of Palestinians, which has been denied by multiple countries, is now being highlighted by the “friends” of the occupying apartheid state itself.
This significant shift in foreign policy and public opinion is a clear result of continued efforts to raise awareness.

Analysis

ANALYSIS

Fadlur Rahman

Imam, Northwich Muslim Cultural Centre

Going from a 'safe zone' to a battlefield: the brutality continues

In December 2023, at the United Nations more than 153 countries voted for a ceasefire.

This was then followed by the brave and bold action by South Africa, to initiate a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for 'potential genocide'.

Though many political analysts suggested that this could possibly lead to a temporary ceasefire (technically a cessation of hostilities), or at the very least a decline in attacks on the civilian population of Gaza, this was not the case.

A three-pronged campaign against Palestine

Israel's Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, has mentioned how the military plans set out for Gaza consist of three phases.

According to various sources, phase one and two consisted of Israel designating possible safe zones, such as the south of Gaza — namely Rafah — where the United Nations recently estimated more than 1.9 million Palestinians had taken shelter.

However, phase three has consisted of Israel bombing Rafah — which was previously mentioned by Israel to be a safe zone for the Palestinians!

Furthermore, occupying troops surrounded the largest hospital in the south of Gaza, al-Nasser, killing dozens and forcing hundreds of Palestinians out of the medical facility.

Gallant then went on to mention that Israel would be withdrawing troops from the north, whilst Benjamin Netanyahu carelessly added late on Saturday, 'We're going to do it', stressing his intentions for a ground invasion into Rafah.

Honestly, this has left the world wondering, what exactly is phase three of Israel's plan and what lies ahead?