Israel could face catastrophe if it launches a ground invasion on densely populated Rafah, according to Gaza mediators and others.

If Israel launches a ground invasion in Rafah, its neighbors and key mediators warned on Saturday of the potential disaster and consequences, as the city houses over half of Gaza's population and the remaining Hamas strongholds.

At least 44 Palestinians, including over a dozen children, were killed by Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had instructed the military to prepare for the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people prior to an invasion, without providing any specifics or a timeline.

The evacuation orders issued by Israel led more than half of Gaza's population to flee to Rafah, which borders Egypt. Now, with two-thirds of the territory covered by these orders, many are unsure of where to go next.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, stated that any Israeli ground offensive on Rafah would result in devastating consequences and emphasized that Israel's ultimate goal is to expel the Palestinians from their land. Egypt has issued a warning that any Palestinian migration into Egypt would endanger the 40-year peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in addition to Netanyahu, warned of dire consequences if a Rafah invasion were to occur without a plan for the protection of civilians.

Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, stated on X that the people in Gaza cannot vanish and an Israeli offensive on Rafah would result in a humanitarian catastrophe.

Gaza's food and medical supplies are being blocked by Israel's daily airstrikes in Rafah, a crucial entry point, during its ongoing ground combat in Khan Younis.

On Saturday, three airstrikes in Rafah resulted in the deaths of 28 people, including 10 children, the youngest three months old. According to a health official and Associated Press journalists who witnessed the arrival of bodies at hospitals.

Fadel al-Ghannam stated that one strike destroyed his family, leaving him bereft of his son, daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren. He fears a ground invasion of Rafah will bring even greater devastation, and he laments the world's silence in allowing Israel to proceed.

On Saturday afternoon, an Israeli airstrike in Rafah resulted in the death of at least 11 individuals, including three children, as stated by Ahmed al-Soufi, the head of Rafah municipality.

According to city officials, two other strikes in Rafah resulted in the deaths of two policemen and three senior officers in the civil police.

At least two people were killed and five were injured when Israeli forces opened fire at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the largest medical facility in the area, according to Doctors Without Borders. Israeli tanks arrived at the hospital gates on Saturday morning, as reported by Ahmed Maghrabi, a physician working there, on Facebook.

The Health Ministry spokesman, Ashraf al-Qidra, stated that hospital staff are unable to move between buildings due to the severe fire. He added that 450 patients and 10,000 displaced individuals are currently taking refuge there.

The Israeli military stated that soldiers were not present within the hospital but classified the surrounding area as an "active combat zone."

Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi, Israel's army chief, stated that over 2,000 Hamas fighters in Khan Younis had been killed in airstrikes and ground combat, but the offensive in the city was not yet finished.

Gaza death toll tops 28,000

On Oct. 7, several thousand Hamas militants crossed the border into southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,300 people and the kidnapping of 250 others. Not all of the hostages are still alive.

Over the past 24 hours, 117 bodies of people killed in Israeli airstrikes were brought to hospitals, increasing the overall death toll from the offensive to 28,064, which is mostly women and children. Additionally, more than 67,000 people have been injured.

Hamas is blamed by Israel for causing civilian casualties due to its practice of fighting from populated areas, while U.S. officials advocate for more precise attacks. President Biden has characterized Israel's reaction as excessive.

Eliminating Hamas is impossible with four Hamas battalions remaining in Rafah, according to Netanyahu's office.

Gaza, which usually has a population of less than 300,000 people, is currently hosting 1.4 million others who fled fighting elsewhere, resulting in severe overcrowding. Approximately 80% of Gaza's population has been displaced.

Elsewhere in Gaza

The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City had tunnels underneath its main headquarters discovered by Israel's military, according to the military.

According to hospital officials and AP journalists, five people were killed and about 10 others were injured in an Israeli airstrike on the central town of Deir al-Balah.

In Gaza City, two Palestinian Red Crescent medics were discovered dead in a destroyed ambulance 12 days after they went missing while trying to save 5-year-old Hind Rajab from evacuation.

A recording of a call from Hind's cousin was previously released by the PRC, stating that the car had been attacked and only she and Hind survived. However, the cousin suddenly stopped speaking during the call, and Hind later passed away.

The rescue mission was coordinated with Israel's military, which did not provide a comment.