Reminding Israel, European Union: An attack on Rafah Would be a Major Disaster

Illustration of the European Union. (Wikimedia Commons/Amio Cajander)

JAKARTA - All members of the European Union (EU), except Hungary, on Monday warned Israel not to launch an attack on Rafah, assessing that it would worsen the disaster for around 1.5 million refugees crammed into the city on the southern edge of Gaza.

"An attack on Rafah would be a major disaster, it makes no sense," said Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, reported by Reuters, February 20.

After the meeting ended, all but one of them, called in a joint statement for "an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a lasting ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the provision of humanitarian assistance".

The statement was issued on behalf of the "Foreign Ministers of the 26 Member States of the European Union" with diplomats saying Hungary, a close ally of the Israeli government, was the only country not to sign up.

"We call on the Government of Israel not to take military action in Rafah that would worsen the already dire humanitarian situation and hinder the provision of basic services and urgently needed humanitarian assistance," the ministers said.

Israel is known to be preparing to launch a ground invasion of the southernmost city of Gaza, which it calls the last bastion of Hamas control after nearly five months of fighting.

Israel accuses Hamas fighters of hiding among civilians, something the militant group denies, saying "extraordinary measures" were taken to avoid civilian casualties.

However, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said it was impossible to prevent civilian deaths.

"We must continue to put pressure on Israel to make them understand that there are so many people on the streets of Rafah that it is impossible to avoid civilian casualties," he said.

"This is of course contrary to humanitarian law," stressed Borrell.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also called on Israel to respect humanitarian law, but said Israel had "the right to defend itself", because it was clear Hamas was still operating from Rafah.

"The most important thing is that Hamas will lay down its weapons," he said.

"More than a million people fled to southern Gaza because the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) told them so. They can't just disappear in space," he stressed.