US Will Not Back Unplanned Rafah Offensive in Israel-Gaza Conflict

The US has issued a warning to Israel about the potential consequences of launching a military offensive into Gaza's southern city of Rafah without careful planning. The White House stated that it would not support any major operations in Rafah if the safety of the refugees there was not taken into consideration. Israel's leader had previously announced that the military had been instructed to prepare for operations in Rafah. The US National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, emphasized the importance of protecting innocent civilians during military operations, and stated that launching an offensive in Rafah at this time would be disastrous. Kirby also mentioned that there has been no indication that Israel is planning to launch a major operation in Rafah in the near future. The US Deputy State Department Spokesperson, Vedant Patel, echoed Kirby's comments and argued that a well-planned operation would consider the safety of the over a million people taking shelter in Rafah, as well as the impact on humanitarian aid and the departure of foreign nationals. The US also expressed concern about the refugees' situation if an operation were to take place and urged Israel to provide answers to the legitimate questions regarding the refugees' future. Although the US rarely speaks about forthcoming stages of Israel's military offensive in Gaza, this warning was issued as a clear message. The US is a significant ally and military supporter of Israel, providing around $3.8bn in military aid annually. Israeli officials state that around 1,300 people were killed during Hamas' attacks on southern Israel in October last year, while the Hamas-run health ministry reports that over 27,800 Palestinians have been killed and at least 67,000 injured as a result of Israel's response. The dire humanitarian conditions of Rafah, with over half of Gaza's population living in overcrowded makeshift shelters without basic necessities, were highlighted by the United Nations. The UN's chief, Antonio Guterres, criticized both Hamas' acts and Israel's violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.