British Foreign Secretary Says Israel's Battle in Rafah Must Stop

David Cameron, the British Foreign Secretary, stated on Monday after Israeli airstrikes on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza—where the last refuge for about one million displaced Palestinian civilians is located—that before any further action, "the battle in Rafah must stop and Israel should seriously consider the consequences." According to Reuters, local health officials reported that in the airstrikes, which led to the release of two hostages by Israel, 67 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured. In response to a question about the situation in Rafah and whether Israel violated international laws, David Cameron told reporters that fighting in such a densely populated area is challenging because there is no escape route for the residents. At the same time, the British Foreign Secretary added, "We are very concerned about the situation and urge Israel to stop the battle and think seriously before taking any action." He emphasized, "But most importantly, what we want is an immediate halt to the war, and we want this halt to lead to a ceasefire." Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the rescue of two hostages on Monday showed that military pressure must continue, ignoring international warnings regarding plans for a ground assault on Rafah. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, emphasized at a press conference on Monday that the Biden administration "does not support military operations in Rafah that do not adequately consider the population of over one million civilians." The U.S. opposition to Israel's attack on Rafah without considering the conditions of Gaza's civilians was noted. The King of Jordan traveled to Washington for discussions regarding Israel's operations in Rafah. Netanyahu: The rescue of two hostages showed that pressure must continue; Israeli airstrikes on Rafah continue. The Israeli army announced the release of two Hamas hostages; they were freed during a military operation in Rafah. The Israeli army began its assault on Rafah; at least 10 deaths were reported in the early hours. Biden and Netanyahu discussed a "common goal" of defeating Hamas and ensuring the safety of refugees in Rafah. Netanyahu: Those who tell us not to enter Rafah are saying do not win against Hamas.