Intensify Attacks, Israeli Military Kills 40 Citizens In Gaza Strip

JAKARTA - The Israeli attack killed 40 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Friday. Most of the victims were in Gaza City, where many residents remained despite orders for Israeli evacuation because they had no safe shelter.

Israel affirms its intention to take full control of the devastated city, where about one million people took refuge, as part of its plans to crush the Hamas militant group.

"The explosion has been endless since yesterday," said Adel, 60, father of two, who lives in Gaza City near the Beach refugee camp.

"Many families left their homes and that's what the occupation wants," he told Reuters via chat app.

"With this bombing, they told people, 'You leave your area or die there'," he said.

Witnesses said at least 15 houses inside the Beach camp were hit by air strikes.

Israeli soldiers have since contacted residents of other homes and told them the attack on their homes was imminent.

They are now rushing to leave, and neighbors are worried that their own homes will be damaged.

Medical sources said 14 civilians were killed in an attack on a house in the Al-Tuwam area, north of the city.

Several deadly strikes hit targets south of the region, where several people fleeing the bombing of Gaza City were heading.

The Al-Shawa Amjad, head of the Palestinian NGO Network, which coordinates with the United Nations and international aid groups, told Reuters that some 10% of Gaza City's population had been displaced since Israel announced its plans to take control of the city a month ago.