Iran has warned of “serious consequences” after Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to take further action in Rafah in the south of Gaza.
The city was hit by airstrikes overnight, with Israel signalling its intention to carry out a full ground offensive into the area.
“Extending the scope of war crimes and genocide of the occupying Israeli regime to the Palestinian refugees in Rafah will have severe consequences for Tel Aviv,” Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia called for an immediate ceasefire and also warned Israel would face serious repercussions for the “storming and targeting” of the city.
Two Israeli hostages were rescued overnight from the city as airstrikes killed 67 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Mr Netanyahu ordered the Israeli military to evacuate civilians from Rafah, which is home to 1.5 million Palestinians, ahead of the offensive.
UK foreign secretary Lord David Cameron also said he was “deeply concerned” about the planned invasion and called for an “immediate pause” in fighting.