How Is The World Responding To Israel's Rafah Evacuation Call?

Israel has urged Palestinians to evacuate parts of the Gazan city of Rafah in possible preparation for an assault on Hamas units that foreign powers fear could take a big civilian toll.

“…we begin a limited scope operation to temporarily evacuate residents in the eastern part of Rafah,” said Israeli military Spokesperson Nadav Shoshani. The spokesperson added that this is not a wide-scale evacuation of Rafah but a limited-scope operation in eastern Rafah.

Here are some reactions:

“This is a dangerous escalation that will have consequences. The U.S. administration, alongside the occupation, bears responsibility for this terrorism,” said Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhuri.

UN RELIEF AGENCY

“An Israeli offensive in #Rafah would mean more civilian suffering & deaths. The consequences would be devastating for 1.4 million people. @UNRWA is not evacuating: the Agency will maintain a presence in Rafah as long as possible & will continue providing lifesaving aid to people.”

EUROPEAN UNION 

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell on Monday condemned Israel’s order for Palestinians living in eastern Rafah to flee the Gazan city ahead of an expected ground assault. “Israel’s evacuation orders to civilians in Rafah portend the worst: more war and famine. It is unacceptable. Israel must renounce to a ground offensive,” Borrell said in a social media post.

READ MORE: What’s Next After Israeli Army Orders Evacuation In Rafah Ahead Of Expected Assault?

FRANCE

France said on Monday it was “strongly opposed” to Israel’s Rafah offensive, ahead of an expected ground assault in the southern city of the Gaza Strip.

“France reiterates that it is strongly opposed to an Israeli offensive on Rafah, where more than 1.3 million people are taking refuge in a situation of great distress,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. “The forced displacement of a civilian population constitutes a war crime.”

AUSTRALIA

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia has made it clear that Israel “should not go down this path”. In a statement, Senator Wong said: “Australia is gravely concerned by the prospect of a major Israeli ground offensive into Rafah.” “Australia, the G7 and so many countries have called on the Netanyahu Government to change course. “The Foreign Minister has made clear Australia’s view that Israel should not go down this path.”

WHITE HOUSE

US President Joe Biden will speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday after Israel’s military called for Palestinians to evacuate eastern Rafah ahead of an offensive in the southern Gaza city, the White House said. “We can’t speak for IDF operations. We have made our views clear on a major ground invasion of Rafah to the Israeli government, and the president will speak with the prime minister today,” a spokesman for the National Security Council told news agency AFP.

(With agency inputs)