A statement from the army said on Monday that phone calls were made and text messages were sent out to the people of “Shejaiya, Zeitun and eastern Jabaliya calling them to evacuate immediately towards central Gaza City.” The areas are located in the north, south and east of the city.

The warning came after at least 10 people, mostly children, were killed and more than 40 others wounded in an Israeli strike on Shati refugee camp in Gaza.

The assault on the refugee camp took place a few minutes after al-Shifa Hospital’s outpatient clinic was struck, leaving several people wounded.

In a text message, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri denounced the attack on the refugee camp as a “massacre.”

Since July 8, Israeli warplanes have been pounding numerous sites in the Gaza Strip, demolishing houses and burying families in the rubble.

Israeli tanks also began a ground offensive against the impoverished Palestinian land on July 17.

Palestinian medics say more than 1,050 Palestinians have been killed so far in the Israeli attacks and over 6,200 others injured.

Israel says 43 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the war, but Hamas sources say the number is about 100.

Top Hamas leader in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh has said the besieged Gaza Strip will become “a graveyard for Israeli soldiers” who are committing crimes against the Palestinians.

RA/NJF