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"Should Israel launch its threatened military offensive into
Rafah, where 1.5 million people have been displaced in
deplorable, subhuman conditions, any ground assault on Rafah
would incur massive loss of life and would heighten the risk of
further atrocity crimes," said Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for
the U.N. Human Rights Office.
"This must not be allowed to happen."
Defying international calls to halt its military operation,
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel
would push on with its offensive against the Hamas movement that
runs Gaza, including into Rafah, which he described as "the last
Hamas stronghold".
About 1.5 million people are estimated to be crammed into Rafah,
on the southernmost fringe of the enclave against the border
with Egypt, most of them having fled homes further north to
escape Israel's onslaught.
Israel has also said it is reviewing possible curbs on access to
Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem over Ramadan as Hamas called for
Palestinians to march to mosque at the start of the Muslim
fasting month.
"We also fear that further Israeli restrictions on access by
Palestinians to East Jerusalem and the Al Aqsa mosque during
Ramadan could further inflame tensions," Laurence said.
Al-Aqsa is one of the holiest sites for Muslims and its compound
overlooks the Western Wall, the most sacred place of prayer for
Jews, who believe the hill is the site of the first Jewish
temple. As such, the area has long been a flashpoint for
potential violence, particularly during religious holidays.
(Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
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