26 EU countries warn Israel against launching assault on Rafah

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Children fly kites on ruins in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, February 17, 2024. /Xinhua

All European Union countries except Hungary warned Israel on Monday against launching an offensive in Rafah that they said would deepen the catastrophe of some 1.5 million refugees crammed into the city on the southern edge of Gaza.

"An attack on Rafah would be absolutely catastrophic ... it would be unconscionable," Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said before a meeting of foreign ministers from the 27 EU member states in Brussels.

After the talks ended, all but one of them called in a joint statement for "an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a lasting ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance."

The statement was issued in the name of "Foreign Ministers of 26 Member-States of the European Union" and diplomats said Hungary was the sole country that did not sign up.

Israel has warned that, unless Hamas frees all hostages, it will push on with its offensive during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, including in Rafah.

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(With input from agencies)