In a stern message delivered on Thursday, the United States cautioned Israel against launching a military offensive into the southern Gaza city of Rafah without thorough planning, stating that such an action could result in a “disaster.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously ordered troops to “prepare to operate” in Rafah after rejecting what he deemed as Hamas’s “bizarre demands” in truce negotiations, leading to an escalation of air strikes in the region.
State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel expressed concern, stating that the U.S. had not observed any evidence of serious planning for such an operation.
Patel emphasized the potential catastrophic consequences of conducting an unplanned military offensive in an area where approximately one million people seek shelter.
He added that the U.S. does not support such actions, highlighting the strategic significance of Rafah as a vital entry point for humanitarian aid destined for Gaza.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a regional tour on Thursday without achieving a pause in the ongoing conflict.
During his fifth crisis tour of the Middle East since the war began, Blinken conveyed Washington’s concerns directly to Prime Minister Netanyahu during talks in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
In a public statement, Blinken underscored that any military operation undertaken by Israel must prioritize the safety of civilians.
The protracted conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, has now entered its fifth month.
According to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, the Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,160 people, predominantly civilians.
In response, Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas, initiating air strikes and a ground offensive that, according to the Gaza health ministry, claimed the lives of at least 27,840 people, mostly women and children.
Additionally, Hamas seized approximately 250 hostages, with Israel reporting 132 remaining in Gaza, including an estimated 29 who are believed to have perished.
