UK foreign secretary calls for urgent action following 'deeply distressing' Israeli airstrikes on Rafah

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - In the wake of the devastating Israeli airstrikes on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza during the past weekend, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Tuesday expressed deep concern and called for immediate and decisive action.

"Deeply distressing scenes following the airstrikes in Rafah this weekend," Cameron said on X.

Cameron emphasized the necessity of a thorough investigation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), urging it to be "swift, comprehensive & transparent."

In his statement, Cameron also underscored the urgent need for a humanitarian solution. "We urgently need a deal to get hostages out & aid in, with a pause in fighting to allow work towards a long-term sustainable ceasefire."

On Tuesday, the Israeli army began expanding its incursion into Rafah amid heavy shelling and bombing, forcing thousands to flee western Rafah towards Khan Younis and areas in the central Gaza Strip.

Israel's current expansion of its incursion into Rafah makes the Israeli army close to fully in control of the border area between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, a demilitarized buffer zone running along the Gaza-Egypt border.

The Israeli army has so far seized control of almost two-thirds of the corridor area as it advances through heavy bombardment and shelling.

Israel continued its brutal offensive on Gaza despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

At least 36,050 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, the vast majority being women and children, and over 81,000 others injured since October following an attack by Hamas.

More than seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel stands accused of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.