Head of the Shin Bet domestic security agency Ronen Bar and Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited the Egyptian capital to discuss a looming ground offensive in Rafah, the Israeli public broadcaster KAN said, citing a report in American news website Axios. The broadcaster, however, did not provide any further details about the visit.

Israeli military said it was prepared ready to storm Rafah city of besieged Gaza strip and is awaiting orders from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This as Israel said it was poised to evacuate Palestinian civilians from Rafah ahead of the planned assault but its allies and neighbours,

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said Israel is "moving ahead" with its planned military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where many Palestinians are sheltering.