Gaza's health ministry says the Israeli offensive has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians. Israel launched the offensive after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
Israel says it wants to root out Hamas fighters holed up in Rafah and release hostages held in the area.
But it is facing global condemnation for failing to save civilian lives.
“Hunger, starvation, on top of the denial of adequate aid, what we saw last night is barbaric,” Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheál Martin said.
Egyptian state media condemned the Israeli military's “deliberate bombing of tents housing displaced persons” as a gross violation of international law.
Saudi Arabia also condemned the Israeli attack and Qatar said the assault on Rafah could hamper efforts to mediate a ceasefire and hostage swap.
Since May 6, Israeli tanks have been probing the outskirts of Rafah, near the crossing point from Gaza into Egypt, and have also entered some of its eastern districts.