Israel mobilising to send troops into Rafah: Reports

Aid groups warn of apocalyptic situation’ if Gaza’s last refugee bastion is invaded

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Israel is poised to send troops into Rafah, the Gazan city it sees as the last bastion of Hamas, Israeli media reported on April 24, saying preparations were under way to evacuate war-displaced Palestinian civilians who have been sheltering there.

The Rafah sweep, postponed for several weeks amid disputes with Washington, will happen "very soon", the mass-circulation Israel Hayom newspaper said, citing a decision by the Israeli government after ceasefire talks with Hamas stalled.

Several other Israeli media outlets carried similar reports. Some noted footage on social media that appeared to show the erection of a tent city for Rafah evacuees.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and the Israeli military spokesperson's office had no immediate comment.

The Israel-Hamas war entered its 200th day on April 23 as aid groups warned that Israeli plans to invade the southern city of Rafah would create an "apocalyptic situation".

Fears have been rising that Mr Netanyahu will soon follow through on repeated threats to send troops into Rafah, where 1.5 million people have sought shelter, many in makeshift encampments.

"Everybody seems to be on a countdown to war across the largest displacement camp on earth, which is Rafah," Norwegian Refugee Council chief Jan Egeland said.

He warned that a ground assault on Rafah would be an "apocalyptic situation" and that humanitarian groups "are completely in the dark on how to mitigate this countdown to a catastrophe".