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Israel-Gaza conflict: Leaflets dropped on northern Gaza ordering 100,000 to evacuate amid fears of imminent ground incursion Israel-Gaza conflict: Leaflets dropped on northern Gaza ordering 100,000 to evacuate amid fears of ground incursion
(about 1 hour later)
Israel appeared to be on the brink of launching ground operations into northern and eastern Gaza on Wednesday, after it dropped thousands of leaflets ordering civilians to evacuate. As Israel moved a step closer to ground incursions and ordered thousands to evacuate from north-eastern Gaza, ongoing missile strikes have today killed more than a dozen Palestinians - including four children.
“Failure to comply will endanger your lives and the lives of your family,” the messages read, dropped across the Shejaia and Zeitoun districts and also relayed in a series of recorded phone messages. Hamas officials say at least 211 people have died in the Israeli offensive, the BBC reported, including another 10 overnight and the children later today.
The Israeli Defence Force has dropped leaflets across the Shijaiyah and Zeitoun districts and also issued a series of recorded phone calls with the message to evacuate, adding: “Failure to comply will endanger your lives and the lives of your family.”
The region is home to more than 100,000 people and lies just across the border from Israel. Its wholesale evacuation means overland raids could be about to follow, Israeli experts said.The region is home to more than 100,000 people and lies just across the border from Israel. Its wholesale evacuation means overland raids could be about to follow, Israeli experts said.
The threat of escalation has been authorised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and came as the ninth day of “Operation Protective Edge” saw 10 more Palestinian fatalities, Hamas officials said, bringing the death toll up to 204. This afternoon Hamas confirmed what had been evident from its actions over the past 24 hours, informing the Egyptian government that it officially rejected proposals for a ceasefire.
The escalation in the wake of the failed attempt to halt hostilities has been authorised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and came as the ninth day of “Operation Protective Edge”.
While Israel said it provides warnings before its attacks – which have included the controversial “knock on the roof” missile – to save civilian lives, they have the additional effect of spreading fear, anger and uncertainty among Gazans, many of whom feel they have nowhere left to go.While Israel said it provides warnings before its attacks – which have included the controversial “knock on the roof” missile – to save civilian lives, they have the additional effect of spreading fear, anger and uncertainty among Gazans, many of whom feel they have nowhere left to go.
Channel 4 News' Jonathan Miller reported on Twitter that Israeli bombs had now struck the Wafa hospital in the Shijaiyah neighbourhood, after its director Basman Ashi said he received an order to evacuate.Channel 4 News' Jonathan Miller reported on Twitter that Israeli bombs had now struck the Wafa hospital in the Shijaiyah neighbourhood, after its director Basman Ashi said he received an order to evacuate.
The centre cares for 15 disabled and elderly patients and specialises in victims of brain and spinal trauma. Mr Ashi said the second floor of the building had already suffered damage but that he won't evacuate because his elderly patients have nowhere to go. The centre cares for 15 disabled and elderly patients and specialises in victims of brain and spinal trauma. Mr Ashi said the second floor of the building had already suffered damage but that he won't evacuate because nowhere else can take his patients.
Experts said they predicted a shift to targeted ground incursions into northern Gaza because a series of underground command bunkers and tunnels have allowed the out-gunned Hamas militants to continue their rocket attacks despite the face of a prolonged air and naval barrage.Experts said they predicted a shift to targeted ground incursions into northern Gaza because a series of underground command bunkers and tunnels have allowed the out-gunned Hamas militants to continue their rocket attacks despite the face of a prolonged air and naval barrage.
The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said another 26 rockets were fired by Hamas today, including some aimed at the city of Tel Aviv a good 50 miles to the north of Gaza. They were all either shot down by the Iron Dome defence system or struck without causing casualties. The IDF said another 26 rockets were fired by Hamas today, including some aimed at the city of Tel Aviv a good 50 miles to the north of Gaza. They were all either shot down by the Iron Dome defence system or struck without causing casualties.
And a Hamas statement said the Israeli bombardment last night included attacks on the homes of four top Hamas leaders: Mahmoud Zahar, Jamila Shanti, Fathi Hamas and Ismail Ashkar.And a Hamas statement said the Israeli bombardment last night included attacks on the homes of four top Hamas leaders: Mahmoud Zahar, Jamila Shanti, Fathi Hamas and Ismail Ashkar.
Zahar was a key figure in Hamas' violent takeover of Gaza in 2007, while the other three were members of the Palestinian parliament elected in 2006. Many Hamas leaders have gone into hiding since the beginning of the Israeli offensive.Zahar was a key figure in Hamas' violent takeover of Gaza in 2007, while the other three were members of the Palestinian parliament elected in 2006. Many Hamas leaders have gone into hiding since the beginning of the Israeli offensive.
Yesterday saw the volunteer civilian Dror Khenin, 37, identified as the first Israeli fatality in the conflict. He had been travelling to distribute food to troops at a Gaza border crossing when he was caught by mortar fire.Yesterday saw the volunteer civilian Dror Khenin, 37, identified as the first Israeli fatality in the conflict. He had been travelling to distribute food to troops at a Gaza border crossing when he was caught by mortar fire.
In an evening address live on TV, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that after Hamas' rejection of the ceasefire, Israel had “no choice” but to respond more forcefully. In an evening address live on TV, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that with Hamas continuing to launch missiles, Israel had “no choice” but to respond more forcefully.
“Hamas chose to continue fighting and will pay the price for that decision,” he said. “When there is no ceasefire, our answer is fire.”“Hamas chose to continue fighting and will pay the price for that decision,” he said. “When there is no ceasefire, our answer is fire.”
An Israeli official, speaking after the security cabinet met overnight, said: “The direction now is to continue air strikes and, if need be, enter with ground forces in a tactical, measured manner.”An Israeli official, speaking after the security cabinet met overnight, said: “The direction now is to continue air strikes and, if need be, enter with ground forces in a tactical, measured manner.”
It came after hopes were briefly raised yesterday of a ceasefire, proposed by mutual neighbour Egypt and accepted by Israel. It came after hopes were briefly raised yesterday of a ceasefire, proposed by Cairo and accepted by Israel.
But Hamas continued firing, saying it was never consulted on terms and instead heard about them through the media. It does not consider Egypt's current rulers to be fair peace-brokers, after Cairo's pro-Palestinian government was deposed a year ago. But Hamas continued firing, saying it was never consulted on terms and instead heard about them through the media. It does not consider Egypt's current rulers to be fair peace-brokers, after Egypt's pro-Palestinian government was deposed a year ago.
In Washington, the US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Israel had the right to defend itself but “no one wants to see a ground war”.In Washington, the US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Israel had the right to defend itself but “no one wants to see a ground war”.
“Our effort remains focused on seeing if we can return to a ceasefire,” she said.“Our effort remains focused on seeing if we can return to a ceasefire,” she said.
The current conflict has been the deadliest since a major Israeli military offensive in the winter of 2008-09. The previous outbreak of cross-border violence, in 2012, eventually ended with the help of Egypt, at the time seen as a trusted broker by Hamas.The current conflict has been the deadliest since a major Israeli military offensive in the winter of 2008-09. The previous outbreak of cross-border violence, in 2012, eventually ended with the help of Egypt, at the time seen as a trusted broker by Hamas.
Speaking about what it would take to have Hamas accept a ceasefire, top official Moussa Abu Marzouk said: “The siege on Gaza must be broken and the people of Gaza should live freely like other people of the world. There should be a new equation so that we will not have a war on Gaza every two years.”Speaking about what it would take to have Hamas accept a ceasefire, top official Moussa Abu Marzouk said: “The siege on Gaza must be broken and the people of Gaza should live freely like other people of the world. There should be a new equation so that we will not have a war on Gaza every two years.”