Arab League warns against ‘crazy’ Rafah offensive

The head of the Arab League warns that an Israeli ground offensive into Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah would lead to “a humanitarian disaster” and threaten stability in the region.

“We are calling on all parties that understand the gravity of the situation to act immediately in order to stop these crazy plans,” Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit says in a statement. Over half of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have sought refuge in Rafah after fleeing elsewhere in the coastal enclave.

“What is the meaning of justice and international organizations if they remain unable to enforce a ceasefire and to put an end to these daily gruesome massacres?” he says.

Israel says Rafah is a key remaining Hamas stronghold.

The statement came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his negotiating team to pull out of talks in Cairo to broker a ceasefire with Hamas. Netanyahu had accused Hamas of making “delusional” demands.