Germany warns Israel against military offensive on Rafah

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Friday warned Israel against a military offensive on Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinian civilians are currently sheltering.

“A large-scale offensive in Rafah cannot be justified,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on social media platform X.

“Over a million displaced people have sought refuge there, they have nowhere to go. A humanitarian cease-fire is needed immediately so that no more people die and the hostages are finally released,” she said.

Despite growing international pressure, Israel’s government announced on Friday that the plans for a military offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah was authorized.

“Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu approved plans for a military operation in Rafah, and the army is operationally preparing for it and for the evacuation of residents,” Netanyahu's office said in a statement without providing further details.

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack led by Hamas in which 1,163 people were killed.

At least 31,490 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and 73,439 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide, and guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.