Recent Israeli strikes signal start of Rafah operation, says Palestinian foreign ministry

The intensifying nature of Israeli air strikes in Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are taking shelter, signals an expansion of Israeli "crimes" into the border town, the Palestinian foreign ministry said on Tuesday. 

In a statement published on social media platform X, the ministry said recent shelling in Rafah represents Israeli "disregard" for international and American calls to ensure the protection of civilians in the city. 

"Israel has started to systematically destroy Rafah with daily attacks and repeated targeting of homes, killing civilians," the statement read. 

"Israel has started its aggression against Rafah without waiting for anyone's permission or announcing the operation."  

The statement came after an Israeli air strike in Rafah on Tuesday morning killed at least 14 Palestinians.