UN Relief Chief Warns: Israeli Ground Operation in Rafah Would Be a Tragedy Beyond Words

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged Israel not to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah, warning of a potential humanitarian catastrophe as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to devastate the Palestinian territory. With over 34,500 Palestinians killed and 85% of Gaza's population displaced, the situation has become increasingly dire.

Tedros expressed grave concerns about the impact of a full-scale military operation in Rafah, which is now home to 1.4 million people, including 1 million displaced from other parts of Gaza. "A ground invasion of Rafah would spell even more trauma and death for the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled there to escape the ongoing hostilities," he warned.

The WHO chief also reported horrifying scenes of young patients dying in northern Gaza medical facilities, with dire shortages of food, fuel, and medicines. At least 16 children have already died due to malnutrition, and the UN has warned that famine in the Gaza Strip is "almost inevitable" if the war continues.

Why this matters: The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the international community increasingly alarmed by the scale of destruction and suffering. The situation threatens to further destabilize the region and exacerbate the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, underscoring the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.

Despite growing international pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch an incursion into Rafah, stating that Israel will destroy Hamas' battalions there "with or without a deal" to achieve "total victory." The United States and other countries are pushing for a ceasefire agreement to avert the assault, but negotiations have yet to yield a breakthrough.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian access to Gaza, stressing that "the key medicine all these patients need is peace." He warned that an offensive in Rafah would be an unspeakable calamity would be an "unbearable escalation" leading to thousands more civilian deaths and mass displacement.

Key Takeaways

• WHO urges Israel not to invade Rafah, Gaza, warning of humanitarian catastrophe.
• Over 34,500 Palestinians killed, 85% of Gaza's population displaced due to Israel-Hamas conflict.
• Rafah, home to 1.4M people, faces potential trauma and death if invaded by Israel.
• Children in Gaza dying from malnutrition due to shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.
• UN, international community call for ceasefire to avert further escalation and civilian deaths.