Israel is facing pressure from various countries around their ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

A raft of western allies, including New Zealand, is pleading with Israel not to escalate matters.

CBS correspondent Linda Gradstein told Mike Hosking that the United States has made it clear to Israel that their forces shouldn't go into Rafah without getting civilians out first.

She says there're about a million and a half Palestinians living in Rafah, many of whom have already been displaced twice.

LISTEN ABOVE

Israel is facing pressure from various countries around their ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. 
A raft of western allies, including New Zealand, is pleading with Israel not to escalate matters. 
CBS correspondent Linda Gradstein told Mike Hosking that the United States has made it clear to Israel that their forces shouldn't go into Rafah without getting civilians out first. 
She says there're about a million and a half Palestinians living in Rafah, many of whom have already been displaced twice. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.