The Israeli occupation army called, last Monday, on residents of areas in the eastern city of Rafah to "evacuate immediately" and head towards the center of the Gaza Strip, amid threats of launching a ground attack on the densely populated city.

The Israeli threats to launch an attack on Rafah have raised widespread international concern, as the city is home to approximately 1.2 million people, most of whom have been displaced from other areas in the Strip, according to the United Nations.

Canada: We continue to pressure Israel

In this context, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, on Tuesday, reiterated the federal government's opposition to the Israeli occupation army's military operation in Palestinian Rafah, calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Joly described the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic," urging the need to stop the violence and release the hostages, in order to begin a ceasefire.

The Canadian official stated that "the invasion of Rafah will put the lives of civilians, children, and women at risk, which is unacceptable," noting that Canada continues to pressure Israeli officials and work with allies in the region to achieve a ceasefire.

The minister added: "We have followed the negotiations, which are going very smoothly, and we hope they will be fruitful."

Germany: A million people cannot simply vanish into thin air

For its part, Germany warned the same day against launching a "major attack" on Rafah, as Israeli occupation army tanks entered the city, calling for the reopening of crossings with the Strip.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said via the "X" platform: "I warn against a major attack on Rafah," adding: "A million people cannot simply vanish into thin air. They need protection. They urgently need more humanitarian aid. The Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings must be reopened immediately."

China: No to war, no to violence

China also expressed on Tuesday its "grave concern over Israel's initiation of a ground military operation in Rafah," urging for its cessation after the occupation army announced it had taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: "China calls on Israel to respond to the demands of the international community, to stop the attacks on Rafah, and to do everything it can to avoid a more serious humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip."

Lin added: "War and violence cannot fully solve the problem, nor can they lead to real security."

Britain: We feel deep concern

For his part, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said last Monday that he "feels deep concern" regarding the attack being prepared by the Israeli occupation army on Rafah, calling on "all parties, especially Hamas," to accept an agreement that leads to the release of Israeli hostages.

Sunak told British media: "I have always said that we feel deep concern about the possibility of a military incursion into Rafah, given the number of civilians seeking refuge there, and the importance of this crossing for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip."

He added that he had presented "these justifications, on several occasions, to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."

The European Union: We all have to prevent this scenario

As for the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, he considered, last Monday, the Israeli army's call for Palestinians to evacuate eastern Rafah city "unacceptable."

Borrell said in a post on the "X" platform that this evacuation order "bodes worse; namely, more war and famine. This is unacceptable. Israel must abandon the ground attack" in Rafah.

He added: "The European Union, in cooperation with the international community, can act to prevent this scenario, and it must do so."