Wanting US to Explain the Consequences of Military Operations in Rafah to Israel, Egypt: Not Enough Rhetoric

Israeli military land operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Egypt's Foreign Minister said on Monday the United States must explain to Israel what the consequences of a military attack on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza bordering Egypt would be, after Washington voiced its rejection of the action.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated at a cabinet meeting on Sunday that Israeli troops would enter Rafah, the last place of relative safety in the small and crowded Gaza enclave after more than five months of war, despite international pressure for Israel to avoid civilian casualties.

Israel's allies have put pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu not to attack Rafah, where more than a million refugees from other parts of the devastated enclave have sought refuge, with no plans to protect civilians.

"It's not enough for rhetoric, it's not enough to express opposition, it's also important to show what if the position is circumvented, what if the position is not respected," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said at a press conference with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency chief. for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini in Cairo, quoted from Reuters, March 19.

"It is also up to the international community and the United States, who have indicated their rejection of such a possibility, to clarify what the consequences will be if their pleas are not heeded," added Foreign Minister Shoukry.

On that occasion, Foreign Minister Shoukry also warned that the humanitarian consequences and loss of life resulting from the Israeli ground attack on Rafah would be "catastrophic".

Egypt had warned earlier of the "dire consequences" of a potential Israeli military offensive near its border, where it controls the Rafah crossing, the focal point of efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, and allows injured people and foreign passport holders to enter.