As tensions escalate in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, US President Joe Biden has issued a stark warning against a potential Israeli offensive in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. President Biden emphasized the critical need for a credible plan to safeguard the safety of over one million vulnerable Palestinians who have sought shelter there.

Amid reports of heavy Israeli airstrikes targeting Rafah, concerns for the safety of civilians have surged. Palestinian residents, already living in fear, are grappling with dire living conditions, including scarce access to essential resources like clean water and food.

President Biden's remarks come in the wake of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement of preparations to expand ground operations into Rafah. Netanyahu has pledged to root out Hamas militants entrenched in the city, despite mounting international pressure and warnings of catastrophic civilian casualties.

The United Nations' top human rights official, Volker Türk, has echoed concerns over the potential devastation of an assault on Rafah, highlighting the horrifying prospect of civilian casualties.

International voices, including UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, have called for restraint, urging Israel to reconsider its planned offensive. Saudi Arabia has issued a stern warning of "very serious repercussions" should the assault proceed.

Meanwhile, Gaza's Hamas leadership has warned of potentially tens of thousands of casualties and the detrimental impact on negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages held in the territory.

With Rafah serving as the primary entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza, the impending offensive raises alarms about exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.