Penny Wong warns Israel 'should not go down this path' as civilians ...

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia has made it clear that Israel "should not go down this path" after its military told civilians in eastern Rafah to evacuate ahead of a planned ground invasion. 

Israel called on civilians to evacuate parts of Rafah on Monday morning, local time, in what appeared to be preparation for a long-threatened assault on Hamas holdouts in the southern Gaza Strip city. 

Rafah is currently where more than 1 million war-displaced Palestinians have been sheltering.

Israel's military says it will launch a ground offensive in Rafah, where it claims several Hamas battalions are hiding.

Gaza's civil defence agency has reported blasts in two areas in eastern Gaza near the perimeter of the Gaza International airport, according to AFP. 

This claim could not be immediately verified by the ABC. 

People are seen fleeing the eastern parts of Rafah with mattresses and anything they can grab. (Reuters: Hatem Khaled)

In a statement, Senator Wong said: "Australia is gravely concerned by the prospect of a major Israeli ground offensive into Rafah."

"Australia, the G7 and so many countries have called on the Netanyahu Government to change course.

"The Foreign Minister has made clear Australia's view that Israel should not go down this path."

In a briefing, the IDF told the ABC flyers they are sending to Gaza say: "The IDF is about to move with force against terror organisations in the area you currently reside."

People grab flour bags from a truck after the Israeli military announcement. (Reuters: Hatem Khaled)

The ABC's Middle East correspondent Allyson Horn said the Israeli military had refused to provide any time line on when it would start its ground action, or say how long Palestinians would have to flee these areas. 

The military says it is not a widespread evacuation, and told civilians in specified areas of eastern Rafah to temporarily move to a new humanitarian area.

It estimated about 100,000 people needed to evacuate. 

Palestinian civilians were encouraged to evacuate by the IDF through flyers, messages and local media. 

"The IDF has expanded the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi to accommodate the increased levels of aid flowing into Gaza," a statement from the  Israeli Defense Forces read.

"This expanded humanitarian area includes field hospitals, tents and increased amounts of food, water, medication and additional supplies.

"In accordance with the approval of the government, an ongoing situation assessment will guide the gradual movement of civilians in the specified areas in eastern Rafah, to the humanitarian area."

Hamas official Izzat al-Rashiq said in a statement any Israeli military operation in Rafah will put ceasefire negotiations in jeopardy.

Hamas added that an operation in Rafah will not be a "picnic" for Israeli forces. 

Reuters is reporting that evacuations were focused on a few peripheral districts of Rafah, from which evacuees would be directed to tent cities in nearby Khan Younis and Al Muwassi.

Palestinian Abu Raed told Reuters via a chat app that his family did not know where to go.

"I have been worried that this day may come. I have now to see where I can take my family," he said. 

Governments across the world, including Australia, have previously expressed grave concerns about the planned invasion.

Egypt has already raised its military's level of preparedness in northern Sinai, which borders the Gaza strip, after Israel made its announcement. 

Its foreign ministry has warned against the operation saying it carries "grave humanitarian risks". 

The IDF said "calls to temporarily move to the humanitarian area" will be conveyed through flyers, SMS messages, phone calls and media broadcasts in Arabic.

"The IDF will continue pursuing Hamas everywhere in Gaza until all the hostages that they’re holding in captivity are back home," it said. 

ABC/wires