JERUSALEM
Israeli army on Saturday allowed Palestinian civilians in the northern town of Beit Lahia and adjacent villages to return to their homes.
"We have decided to allow residents of Beit Lahia and nearby villages in northern Gaza Strip to return to their homes," army spokesman Avichay Adraee wrote on Twitter.
He, however, said that the decision does not apply to the residents of the northern town of Beit Hanoun.
Palestinian civilians in the northern Gaza Strip have been ordered by the Israeli army to evacuate their homes amid an Israeli military operation in the Palestinian territory.
Israel claims that the offensive aims to undermine the capabilities of Palestinian factions to fire rockets at Israeli cities.
At least 1650 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 9000 others injured in relentless Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since July 7, according to Palestinian medics.
Gaza-based Palestinian factions, meanwhile, have continued to fire rockets at Israeli cities in response to the ongoing Israeli attacks.
According to Israeli figures, at least 63 soldiers have been killed in battles with Palestinian gunmen and three civilians by rocket fire.
By Abdel-Raouf Arnaout
www.aa.com.tr/en
