UN warns Israel: Offensive on Rafah could lead to massacre

(Patria) - The United Nations warned yesterday that an Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, where more than a million people have taken refuge, could "lead to a massacre".

Israel has said it wants to drive Hamas militants from their strongholds in Rafah and free Israeli hostages, and is working on plans to evacuate Palestinian civilians.

"Military operations in Rafah could lead to a massacre in Gaza. They could also leave an already fragile humanitarian operation on the brink of death.

We lack the security guarantees, aid delivery, and personnel to sustain this operation. The international community is warning of the dangerous consequences of any ground invasion of Rafah.

The Israeli government cannot continue to ignore these calls," said UN Head of Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths.

Talks involving the US, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar on a ceasefire in Gaza ended yesterday without progress as calls for Israel to refrain from a planned attack on Rafah intensify.

- I sincerely hope that the negotiations for the release of hostages and some form of cessation of hostilities will be successful to avoid a comprehensive offensive on Rafah. It would have devastating consequences - said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.