An Israeli ground invasion into Rafah inside the Gaza strip could lead to slaughter as millions of Palestinians shelter there, the United Nations warned.
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths said Netanyahu’s planned offensive could leave an “already fragile humanitarian operation at death’s door.”
It comes after South Africa said it had lodged an “urgent request” with the UN court over Israel’s ongoing airstrikes and planned invasion of the city.
“Military operations in Rafah could lead to a slaughter in Gaza. They could also leave an already fragile humanitarian operation at death’s door,” Mr Griffiths said.
“We lack the safety guarantees, the aid supplies and the staff capacity to keep this operation afloat.” Rafah is home to 1.5 million Palestinians, many of who fled the north at the beginning of the conflict.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to evacuate civilians ahead of the offensive which killed 74, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Since the attack, US president Joe Biden on Monday said he was pushing for a six-week pause in the fighting between Israel and Hamas.