Fearing an imminent Israeli ground offensive, thousands of Palestinians have left their homes in eastern areas of Gaza City, now under constant Israeli bombardment, for points to the west and south of the shattered territory.

Gaza residents will be provided with tents and other shelter equipment starting Sunday ahead of relocating them from combat zones to the south "to ensure their safety," the Israeli military said on Saturday.

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.