Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urges the United States to intervene and prevent possible Israeli ground and air operations in Rafah, located in the Gaza Strip. His plea comes amidst escalating tensions and fears of further civilian casualties in the region.

At a conference in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Abbas addressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "We have called on America to request Israel not to attack Rafah." The city, situated on the Egyptian border with Gaza, has become a refuge for over a million residents fleeing Israel's offensive in other parts of Gaza.

Abbas emphasized the critical role of the United States in preventing what he described as a potential humanitarian catastrophe. He stressed that a small attack by Israel in Rafah could force Palestinians to flee the area, leading to unprecedented devastation for the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian president also expressed concerns about Israel's intentions beyond Gaza, warning against the displacement of Palestinians in Jordan and Egypt. He feared that once Israel concludes its operations in Gaza, it may attempt to push Palestinians from the West Bank into neighboring countries.

Israel has been escalating threats of an assault on Rafah, aiming to dismantle the remaining Hamas strongholds in the region. Despite calls from Western countries to refrain from attacking the city, Israel has intensified airstrikes in the area, raising fears of an imminent ground offensive.

The situation remains tense as Palestinians brace for potential further violence and displacement. With the eyes of the world on the region, Abbas' appeal to the United States underscores the urgency of averting further bloodshed and humanitarian crises in Gaza.