GAZA/CAIRO (Reuters) – On Wednesday, as Israel continued its military assault on the heavily populated territory, many Palestinians were seeking refuge after leaving their homes in southern Gaza and complaining of water shortages.

In the midst of intense fighting with Palestinians overnight, Israeli soldiers launched more military operations in the southern city of Rafah, according to locals. According to health officials, fresh attacks in central and northern Gaza claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals.

According to Israeli officials, the almost nine-month-old Gaza conflict will soon transition from a phase of heavy warfare to more focused operations against Hamas, the Islamist organisation that has ruled Gaza since 2007.