Heavy bombing across Gaza in fresh onslaught

‘Night of horror’ in North as Rafah pounded in South

- Mark Reynolds

ISRAEL has intensified air strikes across Gaza again, with three members of a family in Rafah killed in what those on the ground described as the heaviest shelling in weeks.

Renewing the onslaught, the Israel Defence Forces ordered evacuations in the north of the enclave, warning civilians they were now in a "dangerous combat zone".

Reports told of continuous artillery shelling of Gaza's northern Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoon and Jabalia neighbourhoods, with Rafah pounded in the south as residents scrambled for cover.

Air strikes and shelling from tanks were also reported in central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip in what residents said were almost non-stop bombardments.

Shelter

Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee warned residents of four zones in Beit Lahiya on Gaza's northern edge to move to shelter in two designated areas. He said the military "will work with extreme force against terrorist infrastructure and subversive elements" in the region.

The army added: "In stark contrast to Hamas's intentional attacks on Israeli men, women and children, the IDF follows international law and takes feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm."

But on the ground the horror was plain for all to see. Thick black smoke could be seen in northern Gaza from across the southern Israeli border.