Countdown to 'catastrophe'

IDF tanks and troops besiege city | Talks for peace now at 11th hour

- CHRIS HUGHES

HEAVY Israeli massing on Gaza's southern border ahead of a ground attack on Rafah that could be hours away.

Merkava tanks, caged bulldozers and other armoured vehicles are pouring towards Israel's proposed entry point into southern Gaza.

Two battalions of elite Israeli paratroopers are believed to be preparing for the invasion, followed by a large number of regular forces.

The Daily Mirror witnessed the huge troop build-up as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the attack will go ahead despite warnings from the UK, US, UN and Middle Eastern countries it could lead to a civilian bloodbath.

Weeks ago, when Netanyahu's plans emerged, Labour leader Keir Starmer insisted that Rafah, where more than a million people are trapped, "cannot become a new theatre of war".

Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who met with Netanyahu recently, said a few days ago there should be a plan in place to protect civilian life. The US has taken a similar stance.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has asked for help to avert what he called the biggest catastrophe in the Palestinian people's history. He said yesterday: "We call on the United States of America to ask Israel to not carry on the Rafah attack."