Israel’s defence minister ordered the army to prepare for “voluntary” departures from Gaza, as US President Donald Trump ruled out sending American troops to the territory, AFP reports.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said he instructed the military to formulate a plan for Palestinians to leave Gaza, which has been ravaged by more than a year of conflict.

“I have instructed the IDF (military) to prepare a plan to enable voluntary departure for Gaza residents,” Katz said, adding they could go “to any country willing to accept them”.