Panic in Rafah as Israel drops warning of imminent offensive in leaflets across town

Tens of thousands of people, many displaced, have started packing up their belongings in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and fleeing

It comes as the Israeli military on Monday ordered the evacuation with a long-promised — and highly controversial — imminent ground invasion.

The announcement complicated last-ditch efforts by international mediators, including the director of the CIA, to broker a cease-fire.

Hamas and Qatar, a key mediator, have warned that an invasion of Rafah could derail the talks.

Israel has described Rafah as the last significant Hamas…