Residents of many communities in the northern Gaza Strip are immediately directed to leave their homes by the Israeli army, since heavy bombing in the area will begin by the afternoon. In particular, the Israeli airforce has dropped leaflets in the region, near the border, where it asks the people to evacuate south.

“The Israeli army is planning to attack the infrastructure of terrorism. The operation will be of limited duration. The citizens who do not follow the instructions will set their lives and the lives of their families in danger”, said a statement by the Israeli army.

This operation had been scheduled to begin at 12.00 at noon (Local and Greece time).

Moreover, 163 Palestinians have been killed in six days and another 1085 have been wounded since the beginning of Israel’s operation “Protective Edge”, last Tuesday. Among the dead was a two-year old child, a 73 year-old woman and two women with severe disabilities which were killed in the foundation that they were in. Two Hamas group members, nephews of the Hamas leader were also killed.

At least 16 more Palestinians died when Hamas chief of Police’s home was bombed in Gaza. The house was bombed when Muslims were leaving a nearby mosque after prayer.