UN: 80,000 People Fled Rafah City As Israeli Strikes Intensified

United Nations said that more than 80,000 people have fled the southern Gaza city of Rafah since Monday. Israeli tanks are reportedly amassing close to built-up areas, and there is constant bombardment. Palestinian armed groups have stated that they are targeting Israeli troops to the east. In response, Israel's military has said that its ground forces are conducting "targeted activity" in eastern Rafah.

The UN has also warned that food and fuel are running out because it is not receiving aid through nearby crossings. Israeli troops took control and closed the Rafah crossing with Egypt at the start of their operation. Meanwhile, the UN said it was too dangerous for its staff and lorries to reach the reopened Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel.

This development came as Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected a threat by the US president to stop supplying some weapons if it launched a major assault on "population centres" in Rafah. Netanyahu said Israel could "stand alone" if necessary.

After seven months of war in Gaza, Israel has insisted that victory is impossible without taking the city and eliminating the last remaining Hamas battalions. However, with more than a million displaced Palestinians sheltering there, the UN and Western powers have warned that an all-out assault could lead to mass civilian casualties and a humanitarian catastrophe