As Israel's focus shifts to Rafah, with thousands fleeing Gaza, the United Nations (UN) agency on Friday had raised concerns and termed it as a "pressure cooker of despair". Meanwhile, Iran has said that it “will not start a war” as US military gears up for multi strikes in Iranian targets in Iraq and Syria.
"I want to emphasise our deep concern about the escalation of hostilities in Khan Younis, which has resulted in an increase in the number of internally displaced people seeking refuge in Rafah in recent days,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs.
“Thousands of Palestinians have continued to flee to the south, which is already hosting over half the population of about 2.3 million people… Rafah is a pressure cooker of despair, and we fear for what comes next,” he added.
Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said that the Israeli forces will continue their Gaza military campaign to Rafah as well.
Meanwhile, amid tensions rising in the Middle East, Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi said that his country will not start a war, but it will "respond strongly" to anyone who bullies it.
“We will not start any war, but if anyone wants to bully us they will receive a strong response,” Raisi said in a televised speech.
Raisi's remark comes at a time when US had approved the plans for multi strikes in Iranian targets in Iraq and Syria, reported CBS News.
Though Iran denied any role in the Jordan attack, that killed three US soldiers, US intelligence sources said that the drone used to attack the facility was manufactured by Iran.
“Before, when they (the US) wanted to talk to us, they said the military option is on the table. Now they say they have no intention of a conflict with Iran,” Raisi said.
“The Islamic Republic’s military power in the region is not and never has been a threat to any country. Rather, it ensures security that the countries of the region can rely on and trust,” Raisi added.
The bodies of the three soldiers killed in the attack in Jordan are expected to be repatriated to a Delaware Air Force base on Friday. President Joe Biden will attend the ceremony.
