Thousands forced to flee as Israel bombs Southern Gaza

Eight Palestinians killed as phase of intense fighting against Hamas ‘winding down’

Funeral of Muhammad Sarhan (15) who Palestinian health officials say was shot and killed by Israeli forces during a raid in the northern West Bank. Photo: AP

Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Mohammad Salem

Israeli forces bombarded several areas of the southern Gaza Strip yesterday and thousands of Palestinians fled their homes in what could be part of a final push of Israel’s intensive military operations in nine months of war.

Eight Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded, health officials said. Israel’s military said that two soldiers had been killed in battle a day earlier.