Australia and Japan joined a litany of other nations and entities on 12 February in warning Israel against further aggression in Rafah in the south of Gaza, saying that any escalation would lead to "devastating consequences" for the 1.3 million Palestinians displaced there.
“153 countries, including Australia, have already called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said via social media. “Now many of Israel’s friends are expressing deep concerns about reports of an Israeli military operation in Rafah. This would have devastating consequences for civilians.”
Wong added that the over one million Palestinians sheltering in and around Rafah were there because they had followed Israeli orders to evacuate northern Gaza, or due to threats from the Israeli army.
“What Australia would say is that Israel must now exercise special care in relation to these civilians,” the Australian foreign minister said.
The Japanese foreign ministry also released a statement noting the nation’s concern about the recent Israeli aggression in Rafah.
“Japan is deeply concerned about the reports of an Israeli military operation in Rafah in the Gaza Strip,” the ministry’s spokesman, Maki Kobayashi, said. "Over one million Palestinian people in Gaza have been displaced in Rafah, which is a particularly important location for the delivery of humanitarian supplies.”
The ministry also noted that given the dire humanitarian situation and the growing number of civilian casualties – including among women, children, and the elderly – crucial steps must be taken to ensure the situation does not deteriorate any further and allow for humanitarian activities to be carried out properly.
“Japan once again reiterates the importance of the protection of civilians and urges all parties to act in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, and to act in good faith based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including ensuring humanitarian assistance,” Kobayashi added.
Hamas has warned Israel that a ground offensive in Rafah would jeopardize negotiations on a truce deal.
In the early hours of 12 February, the Israeli army carried out about 40 airstrikes that led to the deaths of over 100 civilians and injured hundreds more.
The Israeli aerial attacks targeted civilian homes, mosques, and hospitals and were accompanied by artillery shelling and bombardments by the Israeli navy.
Responses