Gaza's residents were waiting anxiously Sunday night to see whether the IDF would expand its ground operation in the Hamas-controlled territory.
| Fighting Continues |
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| Gaza: 4 soldiers injured, 3 Palestinians killed / Ynet |
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Fighting takes first toll, claims life of one Israeli soldier, leaves another critically injured. Over 25 troops sustain minor injuries in various clashes with Gaza gunmen |
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Palestinians reported that many families have left their homes in Beit Lahiya's al-Atatra neighborhood and are staying with relatives in "safer" areas. Hundreds of residents, who are afraid to travel in their own cars for fear of IDF strikes, could be seen leaving the neighborhood on foot toward central Jabalya.
"It was a difficult site and reminded us of images we saw on television during the 1948 Nakba (displacement of Palestinians following Israel's inception)," one resident who left his home told Ynet. "The sense is that of a new Nakba."
Sources in Gaza told Ynet that as part of the preparations for possible escalation, the health minister in Hamas' government, Bassem Naeem, has instructed medical teams to refuse any gunmen asking to ride in their ambulances "so as not to give Israeli forces and excuse to strike the vehicles".
Meanwhile, many areas in Gaza have plunged into darkness following the collapse of the local electrical system.
According to Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, Gaza City's main hospital, Shifa, is also suffering from an inadequate supply of electricity.
The sewage and water systems also appear to be breaking down and effluent is flooding the streets, residents said.
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