Italy opposes the Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said yesterday.
“We reiterate our opposition to Israel’s military action on the ground in Rafah, which could have even more catastrophic consequences for civilians in the area,” Meloni told senators in the Senate.
She added that the priority is to open new land routes and a maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza for the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.
Earlier, the United States (U.S.) President Joe Biden also expressed opposition to the offensive in Rafah, warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that it would deepen the anarchy in the city.
Before the war, Rafah had about 275.000 inhabitants, and it is estimated that the population has since grown to over a million people, and according to some estimates published by the United Nations (UN), even to 1.4 million.
Israel had previously announced that before the offensive against Hamas members in this city, it would instruct civilians to move to safe zones within the Gaza Strip.
E. Dz.
