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Australia, Canada and New Zealand leadership have called for a halt to the planned Israeli ground offensive into Rafah, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming victory is “within reach”.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and the Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon issued a joint statement against the Israeli ground offensive on 15 February.
The Palestinian city of Rafah is expected to see imminent military action as Israeli Defense Forces evacuate the city and attempt to eliminate Hamas militants involved in the killing of more than 1,200 people and taking of 253 hostages in southern Israel on 7 October last year.
The already densely populated city on the Gaza Strip’s southern border with Egypt, with an initial population of around 250,000 people, has reportedly gathered more than 1.3 million people after four months of conflict in the Israel-Hamas War.
“We are gravely concerned by indications that Israel is planning a ground offensive into Rafah. A military operation into Rafah would be catastrophic,” the joint statement said.
“About 1.5 million Palestinians are taking refuge in the area, including many of our citizens and their families.
“With the humanitarian situation in Gaza already dire, the impacts on Palestinian civilians from an expanded military operation would be devastating. We urge the Israeli government not to go down this path. There is simply nowhere else for civilians to go.
“Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas. An immediate humanitarian ceasefire is urgently needed. Hostages must be released.
“The need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza has never been greater. Rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief must be provided to civilians. The International Court of Justice has been clear: Israel must ensure the delivery of basic services and essential humanitarian assistance and must protect civilians. The court’s decisions on provisional measures are binding.
“Australia, Canada, and New Zealand remain steadfast in their commitment to a two-state solution, including the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, where Palestinians and Israelis live side by side in peace, security, and dignity.”
The three countries advocated for a sustainable ceasefire to secure peace for Israelis and Palestinians, as well as a negotiated political solution (such as a two-state solution) for lasting peace and security.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking on 11 February, said the country is on the way to victory and that victory is within reach.
“We are on the way to victory. It will take time as it has been said correctly. But – contrary to what is being said – it will not take years. It is within reach. It is a difficult battle, but one we are winning,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said.
“We want, in effect, to bring about the demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip. This requires our security control and our comprehensive security responsibility over all territory west of the Jordan River, including the Gaza Strip. There is no alternative to this in the foreseeable future.
“We are also saying this to the international community, and to the President of the US, and to all leaders. There is no alternative to this.”
