JAKARTA - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday urged the Israeli government not to carry out military attacks in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians displaced seek refuge from repeated attacks by Tel Aviv.
"Europeans are deeply concerned about the Israeli government's plans for a possible ground attack on Rafah, of which more than one million Palestinians have taken refuge from the current war," Borrell said in an official statement, quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 17.
While affirming Israel's "right to defend itself," Borrell said Belgium "asked the Israeli government not to take military action in Rafah that could exacerbate the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and prevent the provision of basic needs and much-needed humanitarian aid."
Borrell asked Tel Aviv to ensure protecting civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, and comply with an order by the International Court decided on January 26, which he stressed was legally binding.
Israel was sued for genocide at the ICJ hearing, which in a temporary decision in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocide and take steps to ensure that humanitarian aid is provided to civilians in Gaza.
Borrell also asked the Palestinian Hamas group to release all hostages in Gaza.
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Since the cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, which killed about 1,200 people, Israel has carried out a blind retaliatory attack on Gaza that killed more than 28,600 people and caused mass destruction and lack of basic necessities.
Israel's war on Gaza has left 85 percent of the region's population displaced amid food shortages, clean water, and medicines, while 60 percent of the region's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.
Despite international criticism, Israel is planning a ground attack on Rafah, which houses about 1.4 million refugees.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to "fight until a full victory and this includes decisive action in Rafah."
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