US Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator Samantha Power said on Wednesday that the “devastating consequences” the US has warned about are becoming a reality as Israel expands its military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
“For many months now, President Biden and members of his administration, including myself, have made it clear to Israel that a large-scale ground military operation in Rafah would put civilians at great risk and jeopardize humanitarian access.” Power says during a virtual event to discuss the situation in Gaza with donor countries.
“Despite the current limited military operations in Rafah and along the Egyptian-Gaza border, the devastating consequences we have long warned about are becoming a reality.”
Power said local Hadza groups say it feels like war has started again, but the situation is “worse than it’s ever been before.” She noted that 95 percent of the population has not had access to clean water for months, and more than one million people face catastrophic levels of hunger.
Palestinian authorities say more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war.
“Given this devastating situation, we are in daily discussions with the Israeli government and our humanitarian partners about the urgency of protecting those who remain in Rafah and those who are forced to re-flight,” Power said.
Her comments came after Israeli military attacks set fire to a refugee camp in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled to escape the war.
The attack killed an estimated 45 Palestinians and injured 200, sparking international outrage as world leaders and activists warned Israel not to attack civilians in Rafah.
This follows President Biden’s warning earlier this month that he would withhold offensive weapons if Israel invaded Rafah. Despite the warning, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said the attack did not cross a “red line” that would lead to a change in US policy.
Asked about Power’s comments on Wednesday, Kirby acknowledged that “of course there is a catastrophe going on in Gaza.” He said that has been the case since the conflict began and blamed Hamas for starting the war.
After the attack in Rafah, Prime Minister Netanyahu described the fire as tragic and said the military would learn from the incident.
Israeli officials said shrapnel from the attack aimed at Hamas leaders hit a fuel depot near a refugee camp, sparking a fire.
Netanyahu has ignored President Biden’s warnings about the Rafah invasion and insists the operation must be completed by eliminating Hamas and releasing the remaining hostages.
Multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday and Wednesday that Israeli tanks had entered central Gaza for the first time, and that western Gaza was coming under heavy Israeli artillery fire.
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