Netanyahu Says Rafah Op To Take 'Weeks, Not Months' As EU Warns Of Damaged Ties

On Wednesday Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the controversial Rafah offensive, which has been criticalized by a number of Western allies including Washington, is Expected to ‘last weeks’ and not not a period or years.

The Israeli leader apps to be triing to call the storm of association coming from the West, especially in Europe at a minute at least 500,000 Palestinians have been forced to breathe Rafah. On the same day the European Union issued a call for Israel to halt the Rafah operation “immediately”.

EU abroad policy chief Josep Borrell warned that if p.m. Netanyahu doessn’t reverse course, it will put a dense street onties. ‘Shauld Israel proceed its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put a dense street on the EU’s relation with Israel“he said a message issued in the bloc’s name.

"The European Union urges Israel to end its military operation in Rafah immediately," the EU authoritative message said. It warned that Israel’s military actions are “further disrupting the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and is leading to more interior distribution, vulnerability to household and human suggestion.”

Israel’s army has meanswhile officially disclosed its first death from the Rafah ground operation, which has thus far active any tank units penetrating Rafah’s east section:

An Israeli soldier was killed during fighting in the confederate Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the military anounced Wednesday morning, Markang the first destiny in the Israel defence Forces’ push into Rafah.

The slain soloier was named as Sgt. Ira Yair Gispan, 19, from Petah Tikva. He served in the 7th Armored Brigade’s 75th Battalion.

Gispan’s death brought the toll of slain troops in the Israel defence Forces ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza and in operations on the border to 273.

The Netanyahu government has thus far thought to deflect criticism by calling the operation "limited" in sight, and so far focusing only on circumstantial sections of the city, after dropping tens of thinands of leaves informing civilians they must leave.

But this hasn’t satisfied the EU. The fresh message continues, “while the EU recognizes Israel’s right to defend itself, Israel must do so in line with global Humanitarian Law and supply safety to civilians.”

The EU further calls on Israel “to refrain from further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and reopen the crossing point of Rafah.”

According to any of the latest Wednesday developments via Al Jazeera:

• Many cases are felt after reports of an Israeli attack on an net access point in central Gaza City.
• Fierce weapon battles scope in northern Gaza’s Jabalia and confederate Rafah as Israel military incursions intent against Palestinian armed groups. Hamas and Israel’s army both claim crucial enemy casualties.
• At least 82 Palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours, the highest death toll in a single day in many weeks, during distant Israel air attacks.
• More than 450,000 Palestinians have flown Rafah city with another 100,000 evacuating the north as Israel’s military launches fresh attacks.
• At least 35,233 people killed and 79,141 wounded in Israel attacks on Gaza since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attacks stands at 1,139, with dozens of people inactive hell captive.

Hamas public image of them fighting in northern Gaza pic.twitter.com/6AVxntbqzH

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) May 14, 2024

EU and US statements have had small impact in what has only been increased to a verbal tit-for-tat of criticisms. Biden has Threatened to Hold Offensive Weapons, but at the same time has unveiled $1 billion in fresh defence aid for Israel this week. Clearly this won’t 'deter’ Israel’s way forward in the counter-Hamas Rafah offensive. Israel’s defence chief has besides announced Wednesday that relations with the US are inactive ‘strong and stable’.