Israel faces growing international pressure to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas, as it prepared for an incursion in the southern Gaza city of Rafah where more than a million Palestinians are trapped.

After rejecting Hamas’ terms for a truce last week, Israel conducted a predawn raid in Rafah on Monday that freed two hostages and killed around 100 people.

Pakistan condemned Israel’s “military aggression against Rafah city in Gaza and the resulting destruction and massacre of the Palestinian people”.

Saudi Arabia cautioned against the “very serious repercussions” of Israel “storming and targeting” Rafah.

Malaysia condemned in the “strongest terms the large-scale offensive in Rafah”, terming it an “irresponsible, illegal and inhumane assault”.

Read more here.

People inspect debris and rubble in a building heavily damaged by Israeli bombardment, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Feb 11. — AFP
People inspect debris and rubble in a building heavily damaged by Israeli bombardment, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Feb 11. — AFP

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