Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the “limited operation” initiated by the Israeli military on Monday in Rafah in Gaza, despite the US warning against a full-scale invasion. The US has already suspended the delivery of bombs to Israel, citing fears that they could cause civilian deaths in Rafah, and has threatened further to suspend supplies of artillery shells and other weapons if the attack goes ahead. However, Netanyahu dismissed the warning, saying that Israel can “stand alone” and vowed to fight with “our fingernails” if necessary. Israel has been facing pressure over the operation, with the UN stating that more than 80,000 people have fled Rafah since Monday amid constant bombardment. UN officials have also warned that food and fuel are running out for the more than one million people sheltering in the city.

Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the group’s attack on southern Israel on 7 October, during which about 1,200 people were killed, and 252 others were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. More than 34,900 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. Israel says 128 hostages are unaccounted for, 36 of whom are presumed dead. Despite indirect talks in Cairo earlier this week, hopes of a peace deal appear to be fading.