‘Only US can stop this crime' – Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas pleads with US to halt Israel’s imminent assault on Rafah

Benjamin Netanyahu could face an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Photo: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Chris Stevenson
© UK Independent

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has pleaded with the US to stop Israel attacking the Gaza border city of Rafah – saying he expects an assault to begin within days on an area where more than a million people have taken refuge.

Mr Abbas, who heads the Palestinian Authority (PA), said that the US was the only nation capable from halting Israel’s plans for an assault on the southern city, which would force much of the Palestinian population to flee. At least half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are believed to be sheltering in Rafah.