China has expressed “grave concern” over Israel’s military operations in Rafah, where an Israeli strike killed dozens in a displaced persons camp.

China “expresses its grave concern over the ongoing Israeli military operations in Rafah”, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

Beijing urged “all parties to protect civilians and civilian facilities”. It also said it “strongly urges Israel to listen to the appeals of the international community and to stop its attacks on Rafah”.

The UN Security Council is also set to convene an emergency meeting today over Israel’s operations in the southern Gaza border city.

AFP journalists on the ground earlier today reported fresh Israeli strikes overnight in the southern Gaza border city, where an Israeli attack on Sunday night sparked a fire that ripped through a displacement centre, killing 45, according to Gaza health officials.