The United Nations has issued a dire warning regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel gears up for a major military operation in the city of Rafah. The warning comes amidst escalating tensions between Israeli forces and militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad. 

Israeli tanks and armored vehicles have been deployed to the outskirts of Rafah, with reports of heavy gunfire and explosions in the eastern part of the city. Residents have been ordered to evacuate, leading to mass displacement and a growing humanitarian crisis. 

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has reported that over 110,000 people have fled Rafah since the escalation of hostilities, with satellite images showing large numbers of Palestinians leaving the city. Relief operations are on the brink of collapse, with dwindling supplies of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid.

In response to the escalating situation, the United Nations has warned that unless urgent action is taken, aid operations in Gaza could be halted within days. Hamish Young, the UN relief coordinator in Gaza, described the situation as dire, with civilians living "under the barrel of a gun."

As tensions continue to mount in Gaza, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and prevent further escalation. With Israel poised to launch a major operation in Rafah and Hamas vowing to resist, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza shows no signs of abating.