At least 10 Palestinians were killed Friday by Israeli forces during violent clashes in towns and cities across the West Bank, the Gaza-based Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement, as sirens continued to blare all day across southern Israel, indicating another day of ceaseless rocket fire from Gaza.
Israel launches more strikes on Gaza as fears of a ground invasion grow
REUTERS
The Israeli military directed heavy artillery fire and dozens of airstrikes into Gaza overnight into Friday, as fears grew that a ground invasion of the territory could be launched to quell rocket fire from Palestinian militants.
As the Israeli bombardment rained down, United Nations officials inside Gaza said dozens of people had fled their homes in the north and east of the enclave to seek refuge in schools belonging to the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees which are considered designated emergency shelters.
Just a few kilometers away, residents in the Israeli town of Ashkelon were fleeing to their bomb shelters again, as sirens wailed warning of a fresh barrage of rockets fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza.
Terrified families huddle together in Gaza as Eid festivities turn into nights of death and destruction
The family of 30-year-old journalist Reema Saad gathered to sleep in a single room on Wednesday night to comfort each other as Israeli bombs rained down on Gaza.
It was the eve of Eid al-Fitr, when Muslim families celebrate the end of a month of fasting from dawn until dusk.
Over the last week, the skies of Gaza have lit up with the fire of bombed-out buildings, and children have tried to shut out the noise as they tried to drift into sleep. Since Eid began on Wednesday night, the offensive has escalated.