Israel threatens Hamas with an offensive in Rafah if all hostages are not released by Ramadan. The World Security Council is struggling for a ceasefire. An overview.
International concern is growing over the looming Israeli ground offensive in the refugee-crowded city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. On Tuesday, the UN Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution submitted by Algeria calling for an immediate ceasefire. If the US, as Israel's ally, vetoes it as announced, it would have to “take responsibility for everything that happens afterwards,” said a diplomat. “If Rafah happens, there is no turning back.”
Benny Gantz, a minister in Israel's war cabinet, made it clear on Sunday: “The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know, that if our hostages are not home by Ramadan, the fighting will continue and spread to Rafah.” . However, it is uncertain whether international mediators will be able to negotiate a ceasefire and the release of hostages by the start of the Muslim fasting month on March 10.
USA: No ground offensive under “current circumstances”
The USA, as Israel's ally, is also under increasing pressure. In recent days, Washington had tried to prevent a vote on the Algerian resolution text – according to its own statements, in order not to endanger negotiations between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas. But Washington could also want to avoid being seen as a pioneer in Israel's increasingly criticized conduct of the war.
With regard to Rafah, its own draft resolution states that “such a large-scale ground offensive should not be carried out under the current circumstances.” A “temporary ceasefire in Gaza is needed as soon as possible.” The text, which is available to the German Press Agency, indicates that the USA is further distancing itself from the Israeli military operation in the south of the Gaza Strip. However, the American text will not initially be voted on in the World Security Council.
Video | Israel finds Hamas assets in tunnel complex
Source: t-online
EU foreign ministers call for an immediate ceasefire
Germany and 25 other EU states are calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. This should lead to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of the hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid, according to a statement made on Monday evening after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
The decision of the International Court of Justice of January 26th is also cited as the background to the demand, with which Israel was bindingly ordered under international law to do everything possible to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip. The Foreign Ministers also called on Israel not to take military action in Rafah that would worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and prevent the urgent provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance.
Israel's army wants to submit an operational plan to the war cabinet
In Rafah, the Israeli army is preparing to move in to destroy the remaining Hamas battalions and free suspected hostages there. However, the Israeli government has not yet issued an operational order in this regard. Military action in the southernmost city of the Gaza Strip is highly controversial because 1.5 million Palestinians, most of whom have fled fighting in other parts of the coastal area, are crowded into a small area. Here you can read more about it.
Israel's army wants to present a developed operational plan to the war cabinet this week, the news site “Axios” reported on Tuesday night, citing Israeli officials. According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, civilians in the combat zones should be given the opportunity to move to safe areas before a ground offensive begins.
Report: Biden's Middle East coordinator travels to Israel
US President Joe Biden's Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk is expected in Israel and Egypt this week for talks on the possible Israeli military operation in Rafah and efforts to release hostages held by Hamas, reported “Axios” on Tuesday night, citing three Israeli and US officials.
US President Joe Biden had previously warned Israel in clear terms that a military operation in Rafah “should not take place without a credible and feasible plan to ensure the security and support of the civilian population in Rafah.” There must be “a temporary ceasefire” to free the hostages. He expects “that the Israelis will not carry out a massive ground offensive in the meantime.”
