Israel has said for weeks it is going to launch a ground operation into the last corner of the territory that has not seen fierce ground fighting, despite intense opposition from its closest allies.
The Israeli military had planned to start dropping leaflets calling for an evacuation on Monday evening, CNN reported, but called them off after the Iranian attack. The war cabinet is now focused on weighing up options for retaliation but the government has insisted the operation will still go ahead.
On Monday evening, the minister of defence, Yoav Gallant, held a briefing on plans to prepare for the operation in Rafah. The emphasis, his government said in a statement, was on the evacuation of civilians and delivery of aid.
Large groups of displaced people, worried about the possible arrival of Israeli forces and tired of living in overcrowded shelters, have tried to head north in recent days. But Israeli troops opened fire on one group on Sunday, killing five.
Maha Hussaini, a human rights activist with the organisation EuroMed who lived in Gaza City before the war, had joined columns of people heading north with her family.
"I'd been looking for a shelter to go to from Rafah for the past two or three weeks as Israel is threatening a military attack there," she said. "When the Israeli army invades a place, the attacks are indiscriminate."
On hearing that some Palestinians had been able to cross back into Gaza City, they rushed to leave. "We didn't mind the famine, the indiscriminate intense attacks or the bombardment of entire neighbourhoods. We just wanted to return to our homes."
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
At least 75% of universities join fossil fuel pledge, say activists
More than three-quarters of UK universities have pledged to exclude fossil fuel firms from their investment portfolios, according to campaigners.
Verstappen says he has 'lost all respect' for Russell
Max Verstappen issued a condemnation of his fellow driver George Russell stating he had \"lost all respect\" for him after the pair were involved in an incident during qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.
'Not the best part of UK' Ortega hits out at Liverpool over Guardiola 'sack' chants
Pep Guardiola said he expected more respect at Anfield after being taunted about the sack during Manchester City's defeat at Liverpool, with the chants prompting the goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to criticise the city as \"not the best part in the UK\".
Salah seals statement win as City continue to flounder
When times have been tough in the past for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, there has always been the sense they will pull through; it will be OK.
Powerless Guardiola gawps as his empire falls at the hands of Slot's meritocracy
Pep Guardiola kept holding up six fingers. The Liverpool fans were in delirium and the Liverpool players were jigging and jiving across the turf, and his own players had gone over to applaud the travelling support, which is really the least anyone deserves after attempting to travel across northern England on a Sunday.
Rashford and Zirkzee double up to demolish sorry Everton
\"Amorim, Ruben Amorim, nananananananaaa,\" the jubilant Manchester United fans chorused after Joshua Zirkzee's second goal.
Palmer's showstopper adds to Emery's worries
Bad news for fans of slapstick comedy: Chelsea appear to be serious again.
Postecoglou tunes out injury 'violins' as Spurs are slowed by Cairney
It would be tempting to talk of Tottenham at least being predictable in their unpredictability, of the way they cannot but follow up a great result with a disappointing one, of the inevitability of them, having beaten Manchester City 4-0 the previous weekend, failing to beat Fulham at home.
Hayes says fans entitled to boo USA's Albert at Wembley
Emma Hayes United States head coach
'Raring to go' Stokes brushes off injury worry after pulling up
Ben Stokes moved to play down concerns over his fitness and declared himself \"raring to go\" for the second Test at Wellington after the England captain ended his efforts with the ball mid-over during the eight-wicket win at Hagley Oval.
