Palestinian president Warns of Gaza Catastrophe: Urgent Plea Amid Fear of Israeli Attack on Rafah"

In a speech during a special meeting of the World Economic Forum hosted by Saudi Arabia, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas voiced grave concerns over a looming Israeli assault on the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. The Palestinian leader warned of catastrophic consequences if such an attack were to occur, emphasizing the potential displacement of Gazans and the urgency for international intervention.

Mahmoud Abbas's apprehensions were conveyed during a pivotal address at the World Economic Forum, where he underscored the existential threat faced by the residents of Rafah in the event of an Israeli invasion. The Palestinian news agency, WAFA, reported Abbas's sentiments, highlighting his plea for global action to avert a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented magnitude.

In his impassioned plea, Abbas articulated, "If Israel invades the city of Rafah, where most of the people of the Gaza Strip gather, the biggest catastrophe in the history of the Palestinian people will occur, and they will be displaced outside the Gaza Strip." The Palestinian leader's words echoed a stark reality, reflecting the imminent danger faced by civilians amidst escalating tensions.

Abbas further stressed the imperative of humanitarian aid for Gaza's populace, reiterating the Palestinian stance against the displacement of their people. "We called for an end to the aggression and to supply the population with the humanitarian supplies they need, and under no circumstances will we accept the displacement of Palestinians, whether from Gaza or the West Bank outside their homeland," he affirmed.

Amid the growing specter of conflict, Abbas appealed to European nations to recognize the State of Palestine and advocate for its full membership in the United Nations. He articulated a vision for a political resolution that unifies Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem under the banner of an independent Palestinian state, emphasizing the urgent need for an international conference to advance this agenda.

Expressing profound concern, Abbas voiced apprehensions regarding Israel's intentions to displace Palestinians from the West Bank to Jordan once hostilities in Gaza subside. His remarks underscored the broader geopolitical ramifications of the ongoing crisis and the precarious plight faced by Palestinians across the region.

Earlier developments had seen Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greenlighting a ground operation plan in Rafah, albeit without immediate military action. This decision intensified fears among Rafah's inhabitants, who have sought refuge in the city amid escalating violence between Hamas and Israel over the past six months.

Rafah, now home to over 1.4 million Palestinians displaced from northern and central Gaza, stands at the epicenter of a protracted conflict that threatens to escalate into a humanitarian catastrophe of unprecedented proportions.

As tensions continue to escalate, the international community faces a pressing imperative to intervene and prevent the further escalation of violence. Mahmoud Abbas's impassioned plea underscores the urgent need for diplomatic initiatives aimed at safeguarding the lives and rights of Palestinians amidst a precarious and volatile geopolitical landscape.

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