Israel says it is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza as plans move ahead for a military offensive in some of the territory's most populated areas.

Israel will begin providing tents and other shelter supplies to Gaza residents from Sunday as part of plans to relocate civilians from combat zones to the south of the enclave, the military announced,

The Israeli military will provide Gaza residents with tents and other equipment starting from Sunday ahead of relocating them from combat zones to "safe" ones in the south of the enclave, military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on Saturday.