Israel 'purchases 40,000 tents' ahead of Rafah ground invasion

The Israeli defence ministry is purchasing 40,000 tents ahead of its planned ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, Israeli media reported on Tuesday.

Over 1 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering in Rafah in tents and makeshift homes. Israel has said it will evacuate civilians ahead of a ground operation, but many Palestinians have said there is nowhere safe to flee to. 

Rafah itself is not safe, and has been subjected to daily air strikes since the beginning of the war. 

There was no immediate confirmation from the defence ministry of the purchase of tents.

The planned Rafah assault has been widely condemned around the world, including by Israel's closest ally, the United States, which warned that Israel would face global isolation if it went ahead.