By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
AU condemns Israeli incursion into Rafah.
The African Union has strongly criticized Israel’s military actions in southern Gaza’s Rafah, urging the global community to intervene and halt what it describes as a “dangerous escalation” of the conflict.
In a statement, AU Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat condemned the expansion of hostilities to the Rafah crossing, a crucial corridor for humanitarian aid into the besieged Palestinian territory. He called for collective action from the international community to address the worsening situation.
The Israeli incursion into Rafah occurred amid ongoing negotiations in Cairo aimed at brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza. The move has raised concerns, especially due to the presence of displaced civilians in the area.
Despite the incursion, Israel announced the reopening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing for humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza, four days after its closure in response to a rocket attack that claimed the lives of four soldiers. Additionally, the Erez border crossing between Israel and northern Gaza has been reopened for aid deliveries, marking the first access since the start of the conflict.
Both the United Nations and the United States, Israel’s staunchest ally, condemned the closure of the crossings, emphasizing their importance as a lifeline for civilians facing severe humanitarian challenges, including the risk of famine.
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