Australia, Canada and NZ warn Israel against ‘catastrophic’ Rafah ground offensive

Israel must heed counsel of international friends to avoid ‘devastating’ affects of assault on Gaza’s southernmost city, says Albanese, and Canadian and NZ leaders

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Australia, Canada and New Zealand have warned Israel against a carrying out a “devastating” and “catastrophic” ground offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza, saying “there is simply nowhere else for civilians to go”.

The prime ministers of the three countries said in a joint statement on Thursday that Israel “must listen to its friends”. Anthony Albanese, Justin Trudeau and Christopher Luxon also said an immediate humanitarian ceasefire was “urgently needed”.

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