Israel Plans to Expand ‘Humanitarian Zone’ if It Invades Rafah
The Biden administration has repeatedly called on Israel to pause a major military assault on Rafah, including during a virtual meeting last week. During that meeting, US officials evaluated attack options presented by Israel, but did not believe they met President Biden's request that all activities be adjusted to reduce minimize civilian casualties, according to a report. White House statement.
At a news conference in Washington on Tuesday, David Satterfield, the US special envoy for humanitarian issues in Gaza, reiterated the Biden administration's concerns about Israel's plan to invade Rafah.
“We cannot support the Rafah ground campaign without an appropriate, credible and enforceable humanitarian plan,” Mr. Satterfield said, warning that an invasion would complicate further complicating the delivery of aid and the relocation of civilians who have repeatedly had to leave their homes.
“Where are they going?” he say. “How will their needs be met – shelter, medicine, water, sanitation?”
Palestinians in the area said Al-Mawasi had previously been attacked by the Israeli army. Israel accused the rebels of firing rockets from Al-Mawasi.
“There is no safe place,” said Mr. al-Hassi, a doctor sheltering in Al-Mawasi. “I for one have no hostility toward Israel or anyone in the world, but I cannot guarantee that the building, the grounds or the car I am next to will not become a target.”
In Rafah, Rajab al-Sindawi, a used-clothes seller who fled there from the northern city of Gaza, said he felt nervous as he and his wife and their seven children crammed into a small tent. on sidewalks.
“Everyone is waiting to see how they are going to move us,” he said.
Michael Levenson, Anushka Patil And Lauren Leatherby Report contributions.