Israeli commandos were seen on a Gaza beach, after Israel dropped thousands of leaflets in northern Gaza warning residents to clear out of the way of an upcoming a large-scale bombing campaign.  At risk is an area that is home to at least 100,000 people.

Among those leaving Gaza are hundreds of foreigners and Palestinians with dual nationality.  Another 17,000 people have sought shelter in UN offices in Gaza. 

At least 172 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s offensive began, including 18 members of one family who died in an Israeli missile strike on Saturday evening.  Israel says it is targeting Hamas militants and “terror sites”.  But the United Nations says 77 percent of the people killed in Gaza have been civilians.  The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) says Hamas is hiding rockets and weapons in residential neighborhoods, and says it is going to great lengths to warn civilians of airstrikes in their neighborhoods ahead of time.

Hamas’ rockets have done little damage in Israel.  19 people have been injured because of the launches from North Gaza – six IDF soldiers and 13 civilians.