The Israeli Defence Force is warning citizens in Gaza to evacuate to the south.

The IDF has apparently dropped flyers in the Sabrah neighbourhood warning people to flee urgently.

It's while the US military is sending more missile defence systems to the Middle East, and placing additional troops on a 'prepare-to-deploy' notice.

Otago University international relations professor, Robert Patman says there was a window of hope in the 90s in conversations around a two-state solution.

"We've never got back on track in terms of getting a serious negotiation going between the Palestinians and the Israelis. We've come close since then- and particularly in the 21st century, the issue has been side-lined."

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