Israel orders residents of northern Gaza to leave
By Associated Press, Associated Press
Jul 12, 2014 2:42 PM CDT
Palestinian firefighters try to extinguish a cargo terminal at Karni Crossing between Israel and Gaza after it was shelled by Israeli tanks, according to terminal's employees, Saturday, July 12, 2014. Palestinian officials said Israeli airstrike hit a group of people sitting in front of a closed shop...   (Associated Press)

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says it is ordering Palestinians living in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate the area "for their own safety."

In a statement Saturday, the military said it would send messages to residents overnight to leave the area.

Brig. Gen. Motti Almoz, the chief military spokesman, said Israel planned to hit the area with heavy force in the next 24 hours as it steps up an offensive against Gaza militants.

Officials say the area has been used to fire rockets at Tel Aviv.

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