IDF urges Palestinians to clear out of 3 Gaza towns

The IDF warns Palestinian civilians in the Beit Lahiya, Shuja’iya and Zeitoun towns in the Gaza Strip to evacuate their homes ahead of heavy airstrikes.

“These messaged were conveyed by recorded and SMS text messages, as well as by leaflets,” the army says in a statement.

News sources report the messages were sent to about 100,000 people.

AFP correspondents saw flyers dropped over Zeitoun, and residents elsewhere also reported receiving recorded phone and text messages urging them to evacuate by 8 a.m.

Below is the text of the IDF leaflets:

“In spite of the ceasefire, Hamas and other terror organizations continued to fire rockets, therefore it is the intention of the IDF to carry out aerial strikes against terror sites and operatives in Shuja’iya/Zeitoun/Beit Lahiya. A high volume of rocket fire at Israel has originated in this area.

“For your own safety, you are requested to vacate from your residence immediately and head towards Gaza City by Wednesday morning, July 16, 2014, at 08:00 AM. The IDF does not want to harm you, and your families. The evacuation is for your own safety. You should not return to the premises until further notice. Whoever disregards these instructions and fails to evacuate immediately, endangers their own lives, as well as those of their families.”