G7 foreign ministers issue 'Rafah' warning to Israel
Foreign ministers from the G7—comprising the US, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Japan, and Canada—have warned Israel against launching a full-scale ground offensive into the city of Rafah, where civilians in southern Gaza have taken refuge.
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In a joint statement issued by G7 foreign ministers during their first meeting under the Italian presidency at the Munich Security Conference, an urgent call for action was made regarding the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly for the 1.5 million civilians sheltering in Rafah. The ministers warned that a full-scale Israeli offensive in Rafah would have "potentially devastating consequences" for civilians.
"UNHINDERED SUPPORT MUST BE PROVIDED TO CIVILIANS"
The statement emphasized that the rapid, safe, and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza is an absolute priority. It noted that all parties must allow unhindered support to be provided to civilians, including access to food, water, medical care, fuel, shelter, as well as telecommunications and access for humanitarian aid workers.
The statement called for the establishment of effective systems to ensure the safety of aid convoys and humanitarian sites, the authorization for more United Nations personnel, vehicles, and equipment to enter for the distribution of aid, and a significant increase in humanitarian aid entry channels.
The G7 foreign ministers expressed their concern over the risk of the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians from Gaza.