Brazil has condemned the start of operations by Israeli armed forces in the city of Rafah, saying it could compromise ongoing ceasefire efforts, Al Jazeera reports.

Israel has chosen to “deliberately intensify the conflict in an area known to have a high concentration of the civilian population”, disregarding calls from the international community, including its closest allies, a Brazilian foreign ministry statement said.

The Israeli military took control of the vital Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, pushing into the southern Gaza town after a night of air strikes and as prospects for a ceasefire deal hang in the balance.