Vice-President Kamala Harris has voiced strong opposition to Israel’s proposed military operation in Rafah, Gaza, amid warnings of a severe humanitarian crisis. The criticized plan has caused international concern, with accusations against Israel of worsening the plight of Palestinians.
Vice-President Kamala Harris has publicly condemned Israel’s proposed military incursion into Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, labeling it a “huge mistake” due to the potential risk it poses to over a million Palestinians. Her comments, made on March 24, 2024, reflect the U.S. administration’s strong opposition to the assault, given the severe humanitarian crisis in the area. This stance has been echoed by key Democratic figures, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has gone as far as to accuse Israel of actions that could lead to genocide against Palestinians, particularly criticizing Israel for impeding humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Despite the increasing international pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance on the necessity of the operation in Rafah to target Hamas. The discourse within the U.S. also includes voices like Senator Raphael Warnock, who has stressed the importance of balancing Israel’s security needs with American values and the moral implications of the ongoing crisis.
In a related development, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Unrwa) announced that Israel will halt its approval of Unrwa food aid distributions to northern Gaza. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of Unrwa, decried the decision as exacerbating a “man-made famine” within the region. The block on food aid since January 29 comes amid a conflict between Israel and Hamas that has persisted for six months, heightening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to a UN-supported assessment, famine could afflict northern Gaza by May without immediate aid intervention.
Israel’s restrictions, including the rejection of food convoys and a denied request to evacuate injured persons from Al-Shifa hospital, have been criticized by UN officials and the international community, emphasizing the drastic humanitarian situation affecting Gaza’s 2.4 million residents.
