Israel seemingly ready to attack Rafah, as US vetoes latest Gaza ceasefire resolution at UN
The Israeli military appears to be poised to wage a ground offensive in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip where many civilians are taking shelter.
Former Israeli Defense Minister and current war cabinet member Benny Gantz said on Sunday that the military will push into Rafah if Hamas fails to release all hostages by Ramadan. The Muslim month of fasting begins around March 10 this year.
Nearly 1.5 million people are now in Rafah, including Palestinians who fled from northern Gaza and sought shelter in the area.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have continued fierce attacks on Khan Younis, north of Rafah.
On Tuesday, the World Health Organization released a video explaining its efforts to transfer critical patients from the Nasser Medical Complex. The hospital in Khan Younis was raided by Israeli forces.
The WHO said an estimated 130 sick and injured patients and at least 15 doctors and nurses remain inside the hospital. But the hospital has no electricity or running water, and medical waste and garbage are creating a breeding ground for disease.
Meanwhile as fears mount of a further escalation in civilian casualties, the UN Security Council voted on a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Tuesday.
The United States again vetoed the UN Security Council resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, claiming it could jeopardize sensitive negotiations now under way.
Thirteen of the council’s 15 member countries — including Japan and France — supported the Algerian-drafted resolution on Tuesday. Britain abstained.
It was the fourth time the United States has vetoed a Security Council resolution on Gaza since fighting began last October. In one such case, the US objected to an amendment.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after the vote that the ceasefire resolution could not have laid the foundation for a sustainable peace and would have put sensitive negotiations in jeopardy.
She was referring to efforts by the US, Egypt and others to mediate a pause in fighting along with the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Thomas-Greenfield indicated that the United States will submit its own draft that would call for a temporary ceasefire, linked to the release of all hostages.
Some countries welcomed the United States’ diplomatic efforts, but expressed disappointment that the Algerian-sponsored draft was voted down.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the US veto has “condemned thousands more civilians in Gaza to death.”
