During a special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas made a plea to the United States on Sunday. He emphasized that only the U.S. has the capability to deter Israel from carrying out an impending assault on the border city of Rafah in Gaza.
Abbas expressed grave concerns about the potential assault, warning that it could lead to a mass exodus of Palestinians from the enclave. Israel has been ramping up airstrikes on Rafah in recent days, citing its objective to dismantle Hamas’ remaining forces in the area.
Despite calls from Western nations, including the U.S., to exercise restraint, Israel has maintained its readiness to launch a major offensive on Rafah, situated near the Egyptian border and hosting a substantial Palestinian population.
Abbas underscored the gravity of the situation, highlighting that even a limited strike on Rafah could trigger a significant displacement crisis. He rejected the idea of Palestinians being forced into neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt.
The escalation in Gaza stems from Hamas’ attack on southern Israel in October, leading to a prolonged Israeli offensive resulting in significant casualties and displacement among Palestinians.
