CATASTROPHE WE MUST STOP

Israel to plough on with 'unlawful' invasion of Rafah

- ANDY LINES

World demands a halt as Hamas agree ceasefire deal

THOUSANDS of Palestinians fled Rafah yesterday as leaders around the world urged Israel, planning a ground offensive on the Gazan city, to show restraint.

Israeli planes dropped flyers urging residents of the city in southern Gaza to evacuate.

They told residents the areas in Rafah where forces will be operating, adding: "Anyone found near terrorist organisations endangers themselves and their family."

Evacuees should go to what it called the humanitarian area in al-Mawasi on the coast, flyers added.

Around 450,000 displaced Palestinians are already sheltering in Muwasi.

Another 100,000 are expected to join them. Israel's Rafah offensive, called unlawful by UK charity ActionAid, looks set to go ahead despite Hamas accepting a ceasefire deal put forward by Egyptian and Qatari negotiators.