Israeli Army Radio has reported that the military – in preparation for its ground assault on Rafah – will announce a “new safe zone” in central Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.

In a brief post on social media, the army’s GLZ Radio said the zone is “part of preparations for the evacuation of the population from Rafah” and will be located north of Gaza’s central refugee camps.

Israeli attacks on Rafah have intensified in recent weeks and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Rafah will be invaded with or without a ceasefire agreement from Hamas.

Residents of Rafah and elsewhere in the Gaza Strip have long said there are no “safe zones” anywhere in the conflict-torn territory.