Middle-East

Saudi Arabia warns of 'catastrophe' if Israel invades Rafah

This picture taken on January 18, 2024 from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo: AFP)

By Foreign Reporter | Saturday, February 10, 2024

Riyadh demands urgent Security Council action to prevent escalation.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday condemned Israel's planned operation in overcrowded Rafah, saying it would cause a "humanitarian catastrophe" and called for UN interventions.

The Kingdom "warned of the extremely dangerous repercussions of storming and targeting" Rafah and affirmed its "categorical rejection and strong condemnation of their forced deportation", in a foreign ministry statement released on Saturday.

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Riyadh demands urgent Security Council action to prevent escalation.

"This continued violation of international law and international humanitarian law confirms the necessity of convening the Security council urgently to prevent Israel from causing an imminent humanitarian catastrophe," the statement added.

Israel's evacuation of civilians ahead of the operation raises concerns, given Rafah's large population of displaced Palestinians.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday ordered the army to prepare to evacuate civilians from Rafah ahead of the operation.

Over one million displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in Gaza's southern city, with many living in tents along the border with Egypt and the sea.

Saudi Arabia insists on Palestinian state recognition and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before the normalization of relations.

Irish foreign minister Michael Martin, reacting to Israel's planned operation, said the offensive in Rafah "would entail grave violations of international humanitarian law".

"This cannot be allowed to happen... There can be no further equivocation," said the minister on his X handle.