The United Nations has issued a warning, cautioning that an Israeli assault on Rafah in the Gaza Strip is on the immediate horizon and should not be justified by incremental progress on aid access. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to influential states to use their power to prevent the assault, as over 1.2 million displaced Palestinians are seeking shelter in Rafah.
Despite recent proposals for a ceasefire and the return of Israeli hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to carry out the long-promised assault. U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths has described a potential ground operation in Rafah as a tragic and devastating event.
While Israel promised to improve aid access to Gaza a month ago, Guterres emphasized that more urgent action is needed to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. He specifically called on Israel to fulfil its promise of opening two crossings to the north.
A U.N.-backed report in March warned of an imminent famine in northern Gaza, with the most vulnerable already suffering from hunger and disease. Guterres stressed the importance of putting pressure to avoid a devastating tragedy.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss measures with Netanyahu to increase the flow of aid into Gaza. Guterres urged both parties to reach an agreement to prevent worsening the war’s consequences. The U.N. is in talks with the U.S. regarding a floating pier for maritime aid deliveries, but land routes remain essential.
Israel’s retaliatory actions in Gaza began after a surprise attack by Hamas in October, leading to a significant loss of life and hostages.
