Greater Middle East (bbabo.net), - German Foreign Minister Annalena Bärbock believes that conducting a ground operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah, located on the border of the Gaza Strip and Egypt, would jeopardize the security of Israel itself.
“As I said, Hamas terror continues. Especially from the south of Gaza, this is unacceptable,” she said in an interview with the Funke media group, answering a question about whether the upcoming Israeli ground operation in Rafah could be regarded as a terrorist attack.
A million people, according to the head of the German Foreign Ministry, are seeking protection in this city.
“They can’t vanish into thin air. There should be no major offensive on Rafah. This would also jeopardize Israel’s security,” Berbock said.
At the same time, she pointed out that “Israel, like every other country in the world, has the right and responsibility to protect its people.” The Jewish state, the minister believes, must ensure that the fight is against terrorism, and not against innocent civilians.
According to the head of the German Foreign Ministry, for a final ceasefire, the Hamas movement must lay down its arms so that the Israeli army can retreat.
“But Hamas doesn’t do that. That's why we are working with Qatar, Egypt, the Americans and others to ensure that a new humanitarian ceasefire is at least agreed upon, so that more hostages are released, and that more food and medicine finally reaches people in need. I hoped that this would be possible before the onset of Ramadan. But, unfortunately, it failed,” stated Burbock.
She called on the Israeli government to provide Gazans with sufficient food and medical care.
“Hunger also plays into the hands of terror,” concluded the head of the Foreign Ministry.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country continues to prepare for the operation in Rafah. According to the head of government, he has already brought to the attention of the United States the position of the Jewish state, which is that it is impossible to defeat Hamas without a ground operation in the Gaza Strip and to achieve a final victory over the radicals without sending troops to Rafah. On March 17, Netanyahu announced that Israel planned to carry out an operation in Rafah in a few weeks. He confirmed that action plans for this city have already been approved. Meanwhile, the United States insists that Israel begin major operations in Rafah only after the population has been evacuated and all subsequent assistance provided.
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