Netanyahu prepares to evacuate Rafah ahead of expected ground invasion

An estimated 1.5 million Palestinians have crammed into the town after fleeing fighting elsewhere in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Ohad Zwigenberg/Pool/AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered the military to prepare a plan to evacuate the population of Rafah ahead of an expected Israeli invasion of the southern Gaza town.

Mr Netanyahu made the announcement on Friday following international criticism of Israel’s plan to invade the crowded town on Egypt’s border.