Hundreds of Palestinian families continue to flee to southern Gaza

By Mohammad Majed

GAZA, Palestine (AA) – Hundreds of Palestinian families evacuated northern part of Gaza for areas beyond the central Gaza Strip, according to an Anadolu correspondent on the ground.

The families carried main belongings, water, and identification papers with them.

Mahmoud Al-Masri, 39, a resident of Gaza City, told Anadolu: "We left out of fear for our children from the Israeli occupation's shelling. We are heading to an unknown place, and I don't know my fate or the fate of my family, and I hope to return to my home after the war ends."

Emad Abdel Salam, 35, told Anadolu: "We are evacuating our homes due to the sound of rockets. Our fate and the fate of our family are uncertain."

He added: 'We hope to find a safe place in the central areas of Gaza." Salam said that he picked up a small amount of clothing, bedding, and important identification documents before he left his home.

The Israeli army on Friday called on all residents of northern Gaza to evacuate their homes and head to the south.

One week ago, Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began last Saturday when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood – a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers' growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

That response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala