Israel warns Gazans to leave border area before 'intense fight'

The Israeli army told Palestinians to leave areas in southern Gaza ahead of what it said would be "intense fighting" with Hamas, a sign it plans to extend ground operations in the enclave after a ceasefire collapsed earlier this month.

- Agencies

TEL AVIV:

The notification on Monday covered Rafah, a city near Gaza's border with Egypt, as well as surrounding areas. Two Israeli military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a ground operation would follow against targets related to Hamas and other fighters in the area. The army had previously said it was widening a security corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border.