US, UK push for truce to halt Rafah assault by Israel

The US Secretary of State and Britain’s Foreign Secretary have travelled to Saudi Arabia to push for a ceasefire before any Israeli attack on Rafah.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Riyadh for talks on a Gaza ceasefire. Picture: AFP

The US Secretary of State and Britain’s Foreign Secretary have travelled to Saudi Arabia to push for a ceasefire in Gaza before any Israeli military operation in Rafah.

Britain’s David Cameron and Antony Blinken are hoping they can restart ceasefire negotiations even as Israel prepares to attack the southern city.

Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, on Sunday called on the US to intervene to stop the long-anticipated assault, which he said would come in the “next few days”.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Mr Abbas warned that even a “small strike” on Rafah would leave Palestinian refugees there with no safe haven.

“The biggest catastrophe in the Palestinian people’s history would then happen,” he said.

Israel has publicly vowed to conquer Hamas in Rafah, which it claims is the group’s last stronghold. More than a million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter there.

US officials said Israel had provided assurances that it would not enter the city until a plan to evacuate civilians had been discussed.

“They’ve assured us that they won’t go into Rafah until we’ve had a chance to really share our perspectives and our concerns with them,” John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, told ABC.

President Joe Biden spoke about Rafah with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, on Sunday evening and “reiterated his clear position”, the White House said.

Both Mr Blinken and Lord Cameron are to attend the forum, which Mr Blinken will use to “emphasise the importance of preventing the conflict from spreading and discuss ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the region”, a spokesman said.

The UN has warned that Gaza is still at risk of famine, although Israel, under US pressure, has pledged to allow in more aid.

Britain is considering sending troops to help deliver aid arriving by sea, using a US-built pier that is under construction, according to reports.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a small militant group, threatened to attack any British or foreign troops arriving in the territory.

Mr Blinken and Lord Cameron will also discuss the future of Gaza after the war, which has left many of the territory’s buildings damaged or destroyed. Arab governments have been reluctant to invest in reconstruction or supply peacekeeping forces unless there is a road map for a Palestinian state, which the Israeli government has rejected.

In his meetings Mr Blinken will discuss “a pathway to an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel”, the State Department said.

Hamas has sent a delegation to Cairo to respond to Israel’s proposal for a six-week ceasefire and the release of some Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 40 Israeli hostages.

The Times