BERLIN: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Saturday warned Israel against a potential military attack in Rafah, the southernmost city of the Gaza Strip.
In an interview with the RND editorial network, Baerbock expressed concern about the potential consequences of such an offensive, particularly in a densely populated area.
“To act now in Rafah, in the last and most crowded place, as announced by the Israeli defense minister, would simply not be justified,” Baerbock stated emphatically. She highlighted the disproportionate impact on civilians, emphasizing that the majority of the victims in such actions are often women and children.
Israeli Forces’ Intentions to Attack Rafah
Israeli media has reported on the intention of the Israeli army to expand its offensive in the Gaza Strip to include Rafah, the Palestinian enclave’s southernmost city along the Egyptian border. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s statement indicated a plan to eliminate Hamas forces in Rafah.
Expressing shock at the announcement, Baerbock revealed ongoing diplomatic efforts, stating, “I and our American partners have been making it clear to the Israeli government for some time that the people of Gaza cannot disappear into thin air.” She highlighted the growing population density in Rafah and the surrounding area, with over 1.3 million people now residing there—more than half of the Gaza Strip’s approximately 2.2 million inhabitants.
