Top American officials have issued strong warnings against a potential Israeli invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, cautioning that such a move could result in significant civilian casualties. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized the risks associated with a major ground offensive in the city.
President Joe Biden recently threatened to pause certain weapons transfers if Israel proceeds with an invasion of Rafah. Blinken and Sullivan reiterated Biden's concerns, highlighting the potential for a bloody and ill-advised operation that could lead to widespread civilian harm.
Despite acknowledging Israel's efforts to minimize civilian casualties, Blinken expressed the view that more needs to be done to prevent harm to innocent civilians. He pointed out that the impact of the conflict in Gaza has resulted in a significant number of civilian deaths.
While the US has been cautioning against a ground invasion of Rafah for months, Israel has continued its advance towards the city and issued evacuation orders for residents. Blinken warned of the potential consequences of a full-scale operation, including the risk of facing an insurgency or chaos if Hamas is not completely eliminated.
Sullivan echoed these concerns, emphasizing the likelihood of significant civilian casualties without guaranteeing the eradication of Hamas. He noted that while Israel may target Hamas members, many could evade capture due to their terrorist activities.
Last week, the State Department released a report suggesting that US weapons may have been used by Israeli forces in ways that violate international humanitarian law. The report raised concerns about the potential misuse of American weapons in the conflict.
The warnings from US officials underscore the delicate situation in Gaza and the need for a cautious approach to avoid further escalation and civilian harm.
