Berlin, Germany — The German government expressed strong disagreement on Friday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent assertion that there had been minimal civilian casualties during military actions in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. Netanyahu’s comments, made during a speech to the U.S. Congress, claimed that, aside from one incident, civilian deaths in Rafah were almost nonexistent.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Kathrin Deschauer emphasized the severity of the situation at a press briefing in Berlin, stating, “There are already far too many deaths in this conflict which affects not only Gaza but also Rafah and the surrounding region. We demand significantly better protection for the civilians in Gaza, specifically in Rafah.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has consistently advocated for the protection of civilians in her discussions with Israeli representatives, underscoring the importance of safeguarding non-combatants in conflict zones. Deschauer’s comments were in direct response to Netanyahu’s depiction of the military operations.
Despite Netanyahu’s assertions, reports and video evidence suggest that Israeli strikes in Rafah have resulted in numerous civilian casualties. These include an airstrike in May that targeted a camp for displaced Palestinians, killing at least 45 people and injuring over 200, predominantly women and children. This incident alone starkly contrasts with the narrative presented by the Israeli Prime Minister.
Further exacerbating the situation, at least 29 Palestinians perished in two separate attacks on displacement camps in Rafah the same week, as reported by Palestinian and UN officials. This raises serious concerns about the ongoing safety and security of civilian populations in the area.
Moreover, according to the latest figures released by Gaza’s Health Ministry on Thursday, the death toll in Gaza since October 7 of the previous year has escalated to 39,175, with injuries totaling approximately 90,403 individuals due to the conflict.
The international community has expressed growing concern as Israel continues its operations in Gaza, defying a UN Security Council resolution that demands an immediate cease-fire. This ongoing military campaign has devastated vast stretches of Gaza and has severely hampered access to essential supplies such as food, clean water, and medicine.
Recently, the International Court of Justice accused Israel of actions amounting to genocide, with a particular emphasis on the situation in Rafah. An order was issued for Israel to halt its military actions in Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the ongoing conflict before it was heavily impacted on May 6.
As global scrutiny increases, the situation in Gaza remains precarious, with repeated calls for the protection of civilians and adherence to international law intensifying amid these prolonged hostilities. The continued conflict not only results in substantial human suffering but also poses significant challenges for peace and stability in the region.