An invasion of Rafah would lead to an ‘unspeakable humanitarian catastrophe and grave tensions with Egypt.’

The Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian prime ministers have taken the extraordinary step of issuing a joint press release expressing their united concerns over Israel’s planned military operation in Rafah.

A ground assault by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) is planned on Gaza’s southernmost city intended to free Istaeli national hostages held by Hamas, and to flush out militants.

The operation has been given the green light by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after months of aerial bombardments on the city.