Blinken: Israel's Major Military Operation in Rafah Will Cause 'Unacceptable' Harm

Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, reiterated his warnings regarding Israel's large-scale attack on Rafah in the Gaza Strip, stating that 'Israel has not provided a plan to protect civilians.' According to Agence France-Presse, Blinken said at a meeting at the McCain Institute in Arizona, 'In the absence of such a plan, we cannot support the large military operation taking place in Rafah, as the harm this operation causes is beyond acceptable limits.' This statement came as the Associated Press reported on the morning of Saturday, May 4, 2024, citing U.S. officials familiar with negotiations, that Israel 'informed Biden administration officials this week about a plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians before a potential operation in Rafah aimed at rooting out Hamas militants.' According to the Associated Press, these officials, who were not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity, stated that the Israeli detailed plan 'did not change the U.S. government's view that advancing operations in Rafah would endanger many innocent Palestinian civilians.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite warnings from President Joe Biden and other Western officials that this would lead to more civilian deaths and worsen the humanitarian crisis, has pledged to carry out military operations in Rafah. Approximately 1.5 million Palestinians have taken refuge in southern Gaza as this territory has been devastated following a war that began on October 7 after a terrorist attack by Hamas militants on Israel, which killed 1,200 and took about 250 hostages. The United Nations humanitarian agency also announced on Friday that if Israel's attack on Rafah proceeds, hundreds of thousands will be 'at imminent risk of death.' This border city is a vital entry point for humanitarian aid and is filled with displaced Palestinians, many of whom are housed in overcrowded camps. Blinken reiterated to Netanyahu: the Biden administration opposes Israel's attack on Rafah. Warning about a potential Israeli attack on Rafah; the World Health Organization: this attack could lead to a bloodbath. The UN: rebuilding homes in Gaza could take 80 years. U.S. Secretary of State: we do not support Israel's operations in Rafah that do not protect civilians. French Foreign Minister: efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza continue. Blinken's meeting with Netanyahu aimed at increasing aid inflows to Gaza; Hamas's negative response to U.S. peace efforts.