GAZA CITY: Israel is facing escalating international pressure on Tuesday to agree to a ceasefire with the Palestinian resistance group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as it prepares for a potential invasion in the densely populated southern city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are trapped.
CIA Director William Burns engaged in a new round of talks in Cairo on Tuesday with Mossad Chief David Barnea regarding a Qatari-brokered ceasefire proposal. The initiative aims to temporarily halt Israeli bombardment in exchange for the Palestinian group releasing hostages. The high-level meeting, which also involved the Qatari Prime Minister and Egyptian officials, underscores the intensified mediation efforts between the conflicting parties.
US, UN Warn Israel Against Ground Attack in Rafah
The urgency for a ceasefire intensified after both the United States and the United Nations cautioned Israel against launching a ground offensive into Rafah without a comprehensive plan to safeguard Palestinian civilians. Many displaced Palestinians in Rafah expressed their despair, lamenting the continuous Israeli bombardment and increasing civilian casualties.
US President Joe Biden emphasized the need to protect civilians in Rafah during talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. King Abdullah advocated for a lasting ceasefire to prevent another humanitarian catastrophe, echoing concerns raised by other countries such as China, Germany, and Norway.
Despite rejecting the Palestinian group’s terms for a truce last week, Israel conducted a pre-dawn raid in Rafah on Monday, resulting in casualties, which sparked international outcry.
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza further exacerbates concerns, with over half of its 2.4 million residents seeking refuge in Rafah, facing shortages of essential supplies and outbreaks of diseases.
As Israel proposes evacuation plans, questions arise about the safety and viability of potential relocation sites for Gazans. Meanwhile, the United Nations warns of the grave consequences of an Israeli incursion into Rafah, including a potential halt to humanitarian aid and a significant loss of civilian lives.
