UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has warned against a military operation in Rafah, where half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population is estimated to live in displacement.
“There is a sense of growing anxiety and growing panic in Rafah. People have absolutely no idea where else to go,” Lazzarini said in a post on X. “Any large-scale military operation among this population can only lead to an additional layer of endless tragedy that’s unfolding in #Gaza.”
“A military offensive in the middle of these completely exposed, vulnerable people is a recipe for disaster. I am almost becoming wordless,” he added in a separate post.
UN chief Antonio Guterres also said the population of Gaza “is now crammed into Rafah with nowhere to go”, warning the displaced “have no homes” and “no hope”.
Germany, a staunch ally of Israel, has warned against a military invasion of the southern part of the strip. “The people of Gaza cannot disappear into thin air,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.
Source: AlJazeera