The Ministry of Interior in Gaza warned on Monday that Israeli threats to evacuate Palestinians from the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip portend new crimes and a worsening humanitarian catastrophe, as the war continues, now in its 18th month.

In a statement, it said that the new threats of a complete evacuation of Rafah Governorate and the displacement of its remaining residents under the pressure of continuous bombardment are a prelude to an escalation of crimes against the Palestinian people.

Earlier on Monday, the Israeli military warned Palestinians in large areas of the southern Gaza Strip, including the entire city of Rafah, to evacuate their homes as it expands its ground operations.

In its statement, the Gaza Interior Ministry stated that "these new threats are likely to exacerbate the catastrophic conditions Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are suffering from as a result of the war of extermination, displacement, and repeated displacements that have been ongoing for 18 months, amid the ongoing policy of siege and starvation practiced by the occupation under the full knowledge and sight of the world."

The ministry called on the international community and mediators to urgently intervene and pressure Israel to halt the eviction warnings, which are causing horrific suffering to Palestinian civilians.

Displaced Palestinians are living in catastrophic conditions in overcrowded shelters or in primitive tents that offer no protection from cold, rain, or danger, amid severe shortages of food, water, and healthcare.