UNITED NATIONS: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for crossings into Gaza to be reopened immediately to allow essential humanitarian aid in, and urged Israel to “stop any escalation” after it sent tanks into Rafah.
Expressing deep concern over the recent Israeli military activity in Rafah, Guterres emphasized the critical need to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region. The closure of both the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, Guterres warned, exacerbates an already dire crisis and must be reversed without delay.
“Things are moving in the wrong direction. I am disturbed and distressed by the renewed military activity in Rafah by the Israel Defense Forces,” stated Guterres. He highlighted the pressing urgency of the situation.
The Israeli military’s incursion into the eastern sector of Rafah, an area densely populated with displaced Palestinian civilians, follows warnings issued to Palestinians in the region to evacuate in anticipation of a potential ground operation.
“I urge the Government of Israel to stop any escalation and engage constructively in the ongoing diplomatic talks,” urged Guterres. He underscored the importance of de-escalation and diplomatic efforts to resolve the escalating tensions.
Earlier today, the Israeli military took control of the crucial Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, pushing into the southern city of Gaza after a night of relentless air strikes despite Hamas agreeing to a ceasefire proposal from mediators. Israel has intensified its bombardment campaign in Gaza as prospects for a ceasefire deal hung in the balance.
Late on Monday, Hamas announced that the Palestinian resistance group had agreed to a ceasefire proposal brokered by mediators from Qatar and Egypt seven months into the ongoing relentless Israeli bombardment that has pushed more than a million of Gaza’s Palestinian population into the south of the enclave.
However, Israel promptly rejected the terms of the ceasefire proposal, citing inadequacies and proceeded with military operations in Rafah, further complicating prospects for peace.
“The Israeli occupation has sentenced the residents of the Gaza Strip to death after the closure of the Rafah border crossing,” expressed Hisham Edwan, spokesman for the Gaza Border Crossing Authority. He condemned the blockade’s impact on civilians and the collapse of healthcare infrastructure, particularly affecting patients in need of urgent medical attention.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office clarified that while Israel deemed the ceasefire proposal insufficient, it remained open to negotiations. Despite this, Israeli forces continued their offensive in Rafah, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire talks.
Meanwhile, Hamas reaffirmed its stance, emphasizing its steadfastness in demanding a comprehensive ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli troops, exchange of prisoners, Gaza reconstruction, and the lifting of the siege. Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh held a telephonic conversation with Ziyad al-Nakhalah, head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, to assess the peace proposals put forward by mediators.
An assault on Rafah would be a strategic mistake, a political calamity & a humanitarian nightmare.
I appeal to all those with influence over Israel to do everything in their power to help avert even more tragedy. pic.twitter.com/5QtMnQU6Ex
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 7, 2024
