Hamas is gearing up for an anticipated Israeli assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a leader from the Palestinian group said on Thursday. “The resistance has begun preparing for the Israeli manoeuvre aimed at invading Rafah,” the Hamas leader said to The New Arab’s Arabic-language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed on condition of anonymity. “The Rafah operation will not be a walk in the park as the occupation leaders assume … fighters from all factions are fully prepared to inflict significant losses on the [Israeli] occupation army.” Despite Israel’s earlier announcement of plans last mon…