Israel Issues Threat, Thousands Palestinians Flee Their Homes

TEMPO.CO, Tel Aviv - Thousands of people fled their homes in a Gaza town on Sunday, July 13, 2014  after Israel warned them to leave while threatening to launch more attacks. Until yesterday, according to the data from the Gaza Ministry of Health, the number of death toll has reached at least 160 people, including 30 children, while thousands of people have been injured.

"Those who fail to comply with the instructions will endanger their lives and the lives of their families. Beware," reads a leaflet dropped by the Israeli military in the town of Beit Lahiya, near the border with Israel. Gaza's Interior Ministry said in a radio statement that the warning by Israel is considered as a "psychological war" and orders people to stay in their homes.

However around 4000 out of the 70,000 citizens of the area decided to heed the warning and flee. Some arrived on donkey carts filled with children, luggage and mattresses, while others came by car or taxi. One man, still in his pajamas, said some residents had received phone calls warning them to clear out.

"What could we do? We had to run in order to save the lives of our children," said Salem Abu Halima, 25, a father of two.

REUTERS | GUARDIAN | ABDUL MANAN