Editorial: Rafah horrors show Israel will not stop its brutal campaign until it is confronted by power

It has caused revulsion around the world. “These operations must stop,” said French president Emmanuel Macron. “There are no safe areas in Rafah for Palestinian civilians.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin described the carnage as “barbaric”.

Again, we have witnessed the diabolical nature of modern warfare. Surely the time has come for the international community to insist that a brake be applied to the runaway death toll in Gaza?

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) had ruled that the invasion of Rafah must end.

This assault, which claimed dozens of innocent lives, is a graphic demonstration of why the world cannot stand back and let indiscriminate killing continue.

The EU is discussing sanctions, unless Israel complies with the ICJ ruling, according to Mr Martin.

But Tel Aviv has no mind to listen to appeals for restraint. Yet the EU, if it is to have any authority or integrity, has a duty to be clear about the upholding of the orders of the ICJ.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the latest attack was a “tragic mistake”.

Mistake or not, culpability belongs to Tel Aviv and it must be held responsible.

With no cover or sanctuary for the terrified hordes who had fled to Rafah, mass deaths were inevitable in the event of a missile strike.

“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent,” said Mahatma Gandhi.

We must now hope that this latest outrage can mark a turning point.

Israel has a right to go after Hamas, but not at all costs. The toll of this offensive is closing in on 36,000 deaths, many of whom were women and children.

One of the great conceits of humanity is that we believe our existence is guaranteed and protected by a shared sense of right and wrong.

But unless we enforce rules and demand accountability for those who violate them, brute force will obliterate all else.

Once again, Washington has said it is impressing upon Tel Aviv the need to protect civilians. In the same statement, it spoke of the “devastating images” from Rafah.

Its appeals are being continually ignored and no serious attempt is being made to get Israel to listen.

How many more mass killings of innocents can take place without consequences?

Every war ever fought – including the one being waged in Gaza – had to be brought to an end.

Who is to intervene in the interests of common humanity, if the world’s remaining super power is so reluctant to declare enough is enough?

Israel will not stop, and more civilians will be killed, if the powerful do not stand by the defenceless.