Israel’s military is expanding its ground operations in Gaza, including in southern Rafah, Al Jazeera says, citing Israeli media.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said troops will move to clear areas of “terrorists and infrastructure, and capture extensive territory that will be added the State of Israel’s security areas”, according to the Times of Israel.

Katz confirmed that the operation is now underway in Rafah, the Israeli Army Radio reported.

The announcement comes after Israel’s military ordered residents of Rafah as well as northern Beit Hanoon and Beit Lahiya to flee, Al Jazeera noted.