Germany warned Israel on Wednesday that a ground offensive on Rafah would lead to a humanitarian disaster, with even more casualties and suffering.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is becoming more dramatic every hour, while hundreds of thousands of people are facing a hunger crisis.
“Gaza is on the verge of collapse. In Rafah, 1.3 million people were kept in a very cramped space, under the most terrible conditions,” she said ahead of meetings with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv.
She stressed that while Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, it must abide by international law and take measures to protect Palestinian civilians in Rafah.
“Many of them followed Israeli evacuation orders and fled the fighting zones in northern Gaza – often with only their children in their arms and the clothes on their backs. Under these conditions, an Israeli army offensive on Rafah would completely worsen the humanitarian situation. The people of Rafah do not they can just disappear into thin air. They need safe places and safe corridors,” said Baerbock.
She added that during the meetings in Israel, they will discuss the relief of humanitarian suffering and the release of prisoners, AA reported.
