Thousands of Palestinians flee northern Gaza in anticipation of Israeli offensive

Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing the northern parts of Gaza after Israel warned that it is targeting the area in its campaign to stop rocket attacks.

The UN says 17 thousand people have sought refuge in its facilities as Israeli air strikes continue for a sixth day.Israeli forces have raided a suspected rocket-launching site in Gaza in their first reported ground incursion. 

Health officials in Gaza say at least 172 Palestinians have been killed since Israel's offensive began.   

Israel says it is targeting Hamas militants and "terror sites", including the homes of senior operatives.   

However, the UN has estimated that 77 percent of the people killed in Gaza were civilians, thus  the Security Council has  called  for a ceasefire and peace talks. 

In the latest developments,  French Prime Minister Manuel Valls spoke against "importing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict" on to French soil after rioters tried to break into two synagogues in Paris following a rally against the Israeli air strikes in Gaza .

Source:  BBC