The United States warns Israel: a ground operation in Rafah would be "a disaster" Israel has intensified its raids on Rafah in view of the ground operation announced by Netanyahu. Rafah is just south of Khan Yunis, one of the main Hamas strongholds in the Strip.
Egypt, invoking the 1979 Peace Treaty between the two countries, warned Israel not to go in that direction and strengthened the separation structures, also with the aim of preventing displaced Palestinians - pressured by the war - from crossing on the other side.