In a strongly worded statement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has warned Israel of the grave consequences that may arise from its planned invasion of the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. The Saudi foreign ministry called for an immediate ceasefire, expressing concerns about the potential humanitarian disaster that could unfold in the densely populated city.

Rafah, which shares its border with Egypt at the southern end of the Gaza Strip, has seen a significant influx of civilians seeking refuge since the start of the conflict. With more than half of Gaza's estimated 2.3 million population now packed into Rafah, Saudi Arabia emphasized that these civilians have nowhere else to go.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has instructed the military to develop a plan to evacuate the population of Rafah ahead of the ground invasion. Netanyahu stated that hundreds of thousands of people may need to be relocated to ensure the destruction of Hamas battalions reportedly deployed in the city. However, it remains unclear when the potential ground invasion will take place.

Citing the dire situation in Rafah, Saudi Arabia denounced the forcible deportation of civilians and expressed its strong condemnation of Israel's actions. The warning from Saudi Arabia coincided with devastating Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, which claimed the lives of 31 Palestinians, including 10 children.

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Rafah's population, which stood at 264,000 in early 2022, has surged to approximately 1.4 million due to the ongoing conflict. The displaced civilians have limited options for seeking shelter elsewhere, further exacerbating the potential humanitarian crisis.

The health ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 28,000 Palestinians and left 67,600 others injured since October 7th. The conflict erupted following a surprise terrorist attack by Hamas, in which militants crossed the border from Gaza, claiming the lives of around 1,200 individuals.

Highlighting the violation of international law and humanitarian principles, Saudi Arabia called for an urgent convening of the UN Security Council to prevent Israel from causing an imminent humanitarian disaster. The kingdom emphasized that all those supporting aggression bear responsibility for the dire consequences that may unfold as a result.

It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia has never formally recognized Israel, and diplomatic talks with the United States pertaining to recognition were halted after the Oct. 7 attacks. The Saudi foreign ministry reiterated that diplomatic relations with Israel would not be established unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In the meantime, Saudi Arabia called on permanent members of the UN Security Council who have not recognized a Palestinian state under the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, to do so. The kingdom urged international efforts to address the overarching humanitarian and political challenges in the region.

As tensions escalate and the situation in Rafah remains precarious, the international community watches with growing concern for the welfare and safety of the civilians caught in the crossfire of this protracted conflict.