This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68281213

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Israel Gaza: Biden urges Israel to protect Rafah civilians Israel Gaza: Biden says Israel must protect vulnerable in Rafah
(about 3 hours later)
Watch: How did Rafah become home to 1.5 million Palestinians? Many Palestinians fleeing the violence have ended up in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza
Watch: How did Rafah become home to 1.5 million Palestinians? US President Joe Biden has said civilians who are "packed" into Rafah in the Gaza Strip are "exposed and vulnerable" and must be protected.
US President Joe Biden has said an Israeli offensive in Rafah "should not proceed without a credible plan for ensuring the safety" of more than one million Palestinians sheltering there. Israel must make "credible" efforts to protect the more than one million Palestinians sheltering in the southern Gazan city, he said.
He said many displaced people in the southern Gazan city were "exposed and vulnerable" and needed to be protected.
A Palestinian doctor in Rafah told the BBC people there were living in fear.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk says any assault would be "terrifying" and many civilians "will likely be killed".
Last week, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he had ordered troops to prepare to expand its ground operation to Rafah. He vowed to defeat Hamas gunmen hiding in the city.
Rafah has come under heavy Israeli air strikes in recent days, with a number of casualties reported.Rafah has come under heavy Israeli air strikes in recent days, with a number of casualties reported.
A Palestinian doctor told the BBC people in Rafah were living in fear.
Last week, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had ordered troops to prepare to expand its ground operation to Rafah. He vowed to defeat Hamas gunmen hiding in the city.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk said any assault would be "terrifying" and many civilians "will likely be killed".
More than half of the Gaza Strip's population of 2.3 million is now crammed into the city on the border with Egypt, which was home to only 250,000 people before the war between Israel and Hamas erupted in October.More than half of the Gaza Strip's population of 2.3 million is now crammed into the city on the border with Egypt, which was home to only 250,000 people before the war between Israel and Hamas erupted in October.
Many of the displaced people are living in makeshift shelters or tents in squalid conditions, with scarce access to safe drinking water or food.Many of the displaced people are living in makeshift shelters or tents in squalid conditions, with scarce access to safe drinking water or food.
On Sunday, Israel's military said two male Israeli-Argentine hostages had been rescued during a raid in Rafah.On Sunday, Israel's military said two male Israeli-Argentine hostages had been rescued during a raid in Rafah.
Israel’s Rafah assault looms, but with no plan yet for civiliansIsrael’s Rafah assault looms, but with no plan yet for civilians
Palestinians sheltering in Rafah fear Israeli offensivePalestinians sheltering in Rafah fear Israeli offensive
Israel-Gaza war: Death and Israel’s search for ‘total victory’Israel-Gaza war: Death and Israel’s search for ‘total victory’
President Biden again appealed for the protection of Rafah civilians after his meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah in Washington on Monday.President Biden again appealed for the protection of Rafah civilians after his meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah in Washington on Monday.
"Many people there have been displaced, displaced multiple times, fleeing the violence to the north and now they're packed into Rafah, exposed and vulnerable," the US leader said. He said any major military operation in the city "should not proceed without a credible plan for ensuring the safety" of those living there.
"Many people there have been displaced, displaced multiple times, fleeing the violence to the north and now they're packed into Rafah, exposed and vulnerable.
"They need to be protected. And we've also been clear from the start, we oppose any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.""They need to be protected. And we've also been clear from the start, we oppose any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza."
Last week, the White House said it would not support major Israeli operations in Rafah without due consideration for the refugees there.Last week, the White House said it would not support major Israeli operations in Rafah without due consideration for the refugees there.
Many people have fled Israel's ground operation in the rest of the Gaza Strip - a Palestinian enclave run by Hamas.Many people have fled Israel's ground operation in the rest of the Gaza Strip - a Palestinian enclave run by Hamas.
Rafah has come under heavy Israeli air strikes in recent days, with a number of deaths reported in the southern Gazan city Watch: How did Rafah become home to 1.5 million Palestinians?
Watch: How did Rafah become home to 1.5 million Palestinians?
A number of countries and international organisations have warned Israel against launching its planned offensive.A number of countries and international organisations have warned Israel against launching its planned offensive.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Monday said Israel should "stop and think seriously" before taking further action in Rafah.UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Monday said Israel should "stop and think seriously" before taking further action in Rafah.
EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged allies of Israel to stop sending weapons, as "too many people" were being killed in Gaza.EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged allies of Israel to stop sending weapons, as "too many people" were being killed in Gaza.
Last week, Saudi Arabia warned of "very serious repercussions" if Rafah was stormed.Last week, Saudi Arabia warned of "very serious repercussions" if Rafah was stormed.
Meanwhile, Gaza's Hamas rulers said there could be "tens of thousands" of casualties, warning that any operation would also undermine talks about a possible release of Israeli hostages held in the territory.Meanwhile, Gaza's Hamas rulers said there could be "tens of thousands" of casualties, warning that any operation would also undermine talks about a possible release of Israeli hostages held in the territory.
BBC News Arabic followed paramedics in northern Gaza during the first month of the conflict.
BBC News Arabic followed paramedics in northern Gaza during the first month of the conflict.
Rafah - on the border with Egypt - is the only open point of entry for humanitarian aid into Gaza.Rafah - on the border with Egypt - is the only open point of entry for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israel's military launched its operations in the Gaza Strip after at least 1,200 people were killed in southern Israel on 7 October by Hamas-led gunmen, who also took 253 people hostage.Israel's military launched its operations in the Gaza Strip after at least 1,200 people were killed in southern Israel on 7 October by Hamas-led gunmen, who also took 253 people hostage.
A number of those hostages were later released but Israel says 134 are still unaccounted for.A number of those hostages were later released but Israel says 134 are still unaccounted for.
On Monday, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said 164 people had been killed and 200 injured in Gaza over the last day. The ministry says 28,340 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 68,000 wounded in the Strip since 7 October.On Monday, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said 164 people had been killed and 200 injured in Gaza over the last day. The ministry says 28,340 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 68,000 wounded in the Strip since 7 October.
BBC News Arabic followed paramedics in northern Gaza during the first month of the conflict.
BBC News Arabic followed paramedics in northern Gaza during the first month of the conflict.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Middle EastMiddle East
Israel-Gaza warIsrael-Gaza war
IsraelIsrael
Palestinian territoriesPalestinian territories
Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahu
Joe BidenJoe Biden