The Israel Defence Ministry announced the purchase of 40,000 tents for an evacuation of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which Israel plans to destroy the remaining battalions of the Hamas militant group.
The defense ministry did not immediately confirm the purchase, which according to reports from various sources was disclosed through a leak rather than an official announcement.
The intended acquisition of tents, each capable of accommodating 12 individuals, marked one of the initial indications of tangible preparations for the potential evacuation of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians have been sheltering.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently signaled intentions to launch an invasion of Rafah, the sole remaining city in Gaza that has yet to experience a significant ground incursion.
The military says four Hamas battalions remain in Hamas along with an unknown number of senior commanders of the Islamist movement. In the past, the Hamas battalions had 1,000 fighters each according to Israel.
Before the attack, the military announced its plan to evacuate the civilian population to designated “humanitarian islands” located in central Gaza. These islands will offer access to essential resources such as food, water, and medical facilities.
