Australia, Canada and New Zealand warned Israel against 'catastrophic' action in Rafah

Leaders Australia, Canada And New ZealandClose associates AmericaThey warned this Thursday Israel A military operation in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah would be “catastrophic.”

Despite international pressure, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin NetanyahuA promised on Wednesday “Draconian” action against this city Overwhelmed by hundreds Thousands of Palestinians were displaced.

“A military operation in Rafah would be catastrophic. About 1.5 million Palestinians have taken refuge in the area,” the Australian prime ministers' joint statement said. Anthony AlbaneseCanadian Justin Trudeau and New Zealand Christopher Luxon.

“Expanded military action would be disastrous. We urge the Israeli government not to go down this path. There is nowhere else civilians can go,” the text added.

Despite that Increase international pressure With the Palestinian death toll already exceeding 28,000, according to Gaza officials, Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to continue the armed offensive. Hamas.

He announced a “powerful” operation by Israeli forces in Rafah, which could destroy the crowded city in the south. Gaza Strip.

Israel has vowed to “destroy” Hamas The attack was carried out on October 7 According to an AFP count based on official Israeli data, more than 1,160 people, most of them civilians, were killed by the Islamic State group's commandos in southern Israel.