Israel is facing mounting international criticism over its planned attack in Rafah, a community in southern Gaza teeming with Palestinian refugees.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Israeli military will proceed with its planned ground attack, stressing that an evacuation strategy is being developed.
According to UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, “over half of Gaza’s population is sheltering in the area”.
Saudi Arabia threatened “very serious repercussions” if Rafah was invaded.
Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot also warned of “many civilian casualties,” while the United Nations claimed there is nowhere safe for the more than a million Palestinians who have already gone to Rafah.
Hamas leaders in Gaza warned on Sunday that any operation might result in “tens of thousands” of dead and damage discussions for the release of Israeli detainees held in the region.
Israel initiated its operations in the Palestinian enclave after Hamas terrorists killed over 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7, and abducted over 240 hostages.
On Sunday, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry said that the Israeli force had murdered 112 additional Palestinians the day before, raising the total death toll to more than 28,100 and more than 67,500 injured.
Many Gazans found themselves in Rafah after being forced to evacuate their other homes at least once.
Saturday’s threats come a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed his forces to prepare to evacuate residents from the city ahead of a larger attack against Hamas.
Maria Ghanchi