Despite Macron's warning

Netanyahu reaffirms intention to deploy in Rafah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his government's plans for a military operation in Rafah. "We will fight until complete victory, and that includes a strong operation in Rafah," he wrote on Telegram. Before that, the civilian population would be allowed to leave the combat zones. In a telephone call with Netanyahu, French President Emmanuel Macron had previously made clear his firm rejection of an offensive against the city.

"This can only lead to a humanitarian catastrophe on a very large scale and the displacement of the population," Macron said in a phone call with Netanyahu. According to the Élysée Palace, he also reiterated his condemnation of Israel's settlement policy and called for the dismantling of the outposts, which are also illegal under Israeli law. He also said that it was important for Israel to put an end to the violence perpetrated by some settlers against Palestinian civilians.

Macron pleads for two-state solution
Macron once again spoke out in favor of a two-state solution. The term two-state solution refers to an independent Palestinian state that exists peacefully side by side with Israel. Netanyahu rejects a two-state solution, as does the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas.

Emmanuel Macron(Bild: AFP)

Red Cross: "Countless lives at stake"
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned of a humanitarian catastrophe. "We renew our appeal to the parties to the conflict and all those who have influence over them to spare and protect civilian lives and infrastructure," said Fabrizio Carboni, the ICRC's regional director for the Middle East, on Wednesday. "Under international humanitarian law, the parties to the conflict must ensure that the civilian population is provided with the basic necessities of life and that the necessary protective measures are taken to preserve their lives. There is an urgent need to do more now. Countless lives are at stake," said Carboni.

Many of the more than 1.5 million people there have experienced four months of fighting and some have been displaced two, three or four times. They lacked food and drink, sanitary facilities, medical care and security. Many are injured and old. Together with the stress and trauma of the past weeks, the population is under attack and therefore exposed to a higher risk of disease. As an occupying power, Israel has a duty to meet the basic needs of the people.

Israel is of the opinion that the occupation ended with the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, although the country continues to control practically all access to the Palestinian territory and supplies to it. One of the ICRC's core tasks is to monitor compliance with international humanitarian law.