Called for a ceasefire
France, Jordan and Egypt warn of offensive in Rafah
April 9, 2024, 12:26 a.m
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The situation in the Gaza Strip remains dramatic; a planned ground offensive in Rafah threatens to make it worse, especially for the civilian population. Now French President Macron, his Egyptian counterpart al-Sisi and the Jordanian king are calling for a ceasefire.
The leaders of France, Egypt and Jordan have called for an “immediate” ceasefire in the war in Gaza and warned Israel of a planned offensive in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. “The war in Gaza and the catastrophic human suffering associated with it must end immediately,” wrote French President Emmanuel Macron, his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II in an article for several daily newspapers.
“In view of the unbearable number of victims (…), we emphasize the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza,” they wrote. The heads of state called for a UN Security Council call for a ceasefire to be implemented “in full without further delay” – as well as the release of the hostages held by the radical Islamic group Hamas.
Israel is under increasing international pressure to agree to a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Hamas said on Monday that it was examining a proposal for a ceasefire and a hostage and prisoner exchange after negotiations in Cairo.
Ground offensive confirmed in Rafah
Macron, al-Sisi and Abdullah II also warned of the “dangerous consequences of an Israeli offensive in Rafah.” “Such an offensive would only increase the loss of life and suffering, exacerbate the risk and consequences of a massive forced relocation of Gaza’s population, and lead to a threatened escalation in the region,” the post, which was written by, among others, continued was published in the French daily newspaper “Le Monde” and the US newspaper “Washington Post”.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously confirmed the upcoming offensive in a video message, despite international criticism, and said that a date had already been set. According to Israel, the city on the border with Egypt is the last remaining Hamas stronghold in the Palestinian territory.
Israel’s Western allies, including the United States and Germany, had spoken out against an offensive in Rafah. The city, located on the border with Egypt, is home to more than 1.5 million refugee residents of the Gaza Strip.