Satellite images reveal what could be next in Gaza: 'End of the line'

There is mounting international concern the humanitarian crisis in Gaza could worsen sharply if the Israeli military decides to storm the southern border city of Rafah, where more than half of the densely populated enclave's people are taking shelter in anticipation of a major attack.

An Israeli air strike hit two houses in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday (local time), killing 10 people and wounding several others, health officials said.

Israel's air and ground offensive has since devastated much of Gaza, killing 28,775 people, also mostly civilians according to Palestinian health authorities, and forcing nearly all of its more than two million inhabitants from their homes.

Doctors Without Borders is the latest group to join the chorus of concern, warning earlier today an Israeli offensive on Rafah would be "catastrophic" for those sheltering in the city.

"Rafah is the end of the line," the humanitarian organisation said. "There is nowhere else to flee."

Satellite images along Egypt-Gaza border appears to show Cairo building a wall

However speculation is growing as to where some are likely to flee in the event of Israeli forces moving in, with satellite images ostensibly showing construction work being carried out along the Egyptian border with Gaza, potentially in preparation for processing and housing Palestinian refugees.

According to the BBC, unnamed Egyptian sources claim the work is being done to set up an isolated buffer zone containing a walled enclosure in Egypt's North Sinai province in case Israel goes ahead with a planned ground offensive in Gaza's southernmost enclave.

Egypt has denied the claim while Israel's Minister for Defence, Yoav Gallant, has also said the country "has no intention of evacuating Palestinian civilians to Egypt".

Israeli forces remained in Nasser Hospital in the town of Khan Younis – about a 15 minute drive north of Rafah – after raiding it early on Thursday. The Gaza Health Ministry said five intensive care patients died on Friday due to power outages and lack of oxygen supply caused by the attack.

Israel said it moved into the hospital because Hamas militants were hiding there. The Israeli military said on Friday its troops detained more than 20 militants in the hospital who participated in the October 7 attacks on Israel and dozens of others for questioning.

Dutton backs Israel after joint statement from Albanese and PMs of Canada, NZ

Humanitarian organisations and leaders around the world have called on Israel not to send forces into Rafah, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who took the step of releasing a joint statement with his Canadian and New Zealand counterparts on Thursday.

Such an invasion would be catastrophic, they said, with 1.5 million Palestinians taking refuge in the area, many at the behest of Israeli forces.

"Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas", the statement said. "We urge the Israeli government not to go down this path. There is simply nowhere else for civilians to go."

In contrast, on Friday Peter Dutton backed Israel's war on Hamas, making his remarks in response to the joint statement from the three leaders.

"Israel has provided a response to make sure their country is secure," he said. "We want an end to the conflict as quickly as possible but that can't happen until the terrorists release those children in particular, those women, and the other hostages."

More than 1200 people were killed and 240 others taken hostage when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, in what the Australian government has declared a terror event. More than 100 hostages have been released.

with Reuters

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