Unicef chief calls on Israel to ‘refrain from military escalation’ in Rafah

An “escalation in fighting” in Rafah will mark another “devastating turn in a war” said Unicef executive director Catherine Russell on Friday. 

“Unicef is urgently calling on the parties to refrain from military escalation in Rafah Governorate in Gaza where over 600,000 children and their families have been displaced – many of them more than once,” she said in a statement.

In televised remarks on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered Israeli troops to “prepare to operate” in Rafah.