Can Blinken stop Rafah offensive?
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stressed his firm opposition to a ground offensive of Rafah, saying it would be a “mistake” on March 21, AFP reported.
Since Israel’s assault in Rafah, Gaza’s most southern city and at the border with Egypt, in mid-February, officials worldwide have strictly warned against a full-blown invasion of the city which is now home to over 1.5 million people due to mass internal displacement caused by incessant Israeli bombardments.
On February 12, Israeli forces rescued two hostages taken into Gaza on October 7 but also killed at least 70 Palestinian civilians.
Blinken spoke about the situation in Rafah as well as the need for a ceasefire whilst meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo.
During a joint press conference with Shoukry, the US official noted that “gaps are narrowing” in ongoing ceasefire and hostage release talks in Qatar adding that “It’s difficult to get there (reaching an agreement), but I believe it is still possible,”
He also said, “There is a false choice involved here… Hamas can be effectively dealt with without a major ground operation in Rafah.”
His remarks were echoed by the Egyptian Foreign Minister who called for the release of all Israeli hostages, stressed the importance of more aid being let into Gaza and saying that Israel should strictly not carry out a ground invasion of Rafah as this will cause even more civilian casualties and displacement.
READ: Blinken visits Middle East as Israel-US relationship weakens
Prior to the meeting on March 21, the pair had met with government ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Palestine.
They unanimously sent out a clear message: The need for an immediate ceasefire as well as for all crossings to be open between Israel and Gaza and for no more obstructions to be imposed by Israeli authorities.
Mr Blinken’s recent visit to the region came as the US created a draft UN Security Council Resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire on March 20.
The Secretary of State said that the draft called for, “the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides, enable the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, and alleviate suffering… in conjunction with the release of hostages still held.” but also said that Israel had a “right” to defend itself.
Washington has on three occasions vetoed draft resolutions calling for a cessation of hostilities at the Security Council and did most recently in late February. Justifying their most recent opposition to the draft, American representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that such a move could jeopardise a hostage negotiation deal.
AFP/ Al Jazeera
