International pressure mounts against Israeli op in Rafah

Australia, Canada and New Zealand have warned Israel against a carrying out a “devastating” and “catastrophic” ground offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza, saying “there is simply nowhere else for civilians to go”.

The prime ministers of the three countries said in a joint statement on Thursday that Israel “must listen to its friends”. Anthony Albanese, Justin Trudeau and Christopher Luxon also said an immediate humanitarian ceasefire was “urgently needed”.

It says a military operation into the city in southern Gaza would be "catastrophic".

"We are gravely concerned by indications that Israel is planning a ground offensive into Rafah," the statement said.

MNA