RAMALLAH: The Israeli army announced that military planes dropped leaflets on “several locations" across the Gaza Strip. The statement warns Gazans to “stay away from Hamas" and avoid “other terror organizations, operatives, and facilities." Early Wednesday evening, Israeli forces launched “Operation Pillar of Defense", striking over 20 sites across the Gaza Strip and assassinating Ahmad Jabari, Hamas military chief known mostly for his role as the brain behind the 2005 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The leaflets come after several Israeli officials spoke openly about the possibility of launching a ground invasion in the narrow coastal enclave. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu told a weekly cabinet meeting of ministers that Israel was prepared to defend itself by escalating the conflict. Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz told army radio that “there is no escaping...a military decision on Hamas in Gaza." The Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) has vowed to avenge Jabari's death, stating that Israel “opened the gates of hell" with the assassination. The PRC spokesperson urged “cowardly settlers" to flee to shelters or be buried in their homes. PM Netanyahu stated that 20 percent of the total Israeli population lives under the threat of rocket fire from Gaza. Israeli officials claim the latest round of fighting began when Hamas launched an anti-tank missile on an Israeli military jeep. Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, both of whom took credit for the jeep attack, claimed Israel started the conflict when it killed a Palestinian child during an incursion in Gaza last Thursday. “Operation Pillar of Defense" is the largest offensive on Gaza since the 2008 Gaza War. Three Israeli civilians died on Thursday morning in a rocket strike on a home in southern Israel. At least 11 Palestinians died in Israeli airstrikes since Wednesday afternoon. As of present there are no reports that a ground invasion is underway, though several outlets are reporting heavy Israeli airstrikes on densely populated areas in Gaza. Translation of the leaflets' contents: “Important announcement for the residents of the Gaza Strip: For your own safety, take responsibility for yourselves and avoid being present in the vicinity of Hamas operatives and facilities and those of other terror organizations that pose a risk to your safety. Hamas is once again dragging the region to violence and bloodshed. The IDF is determined to defend the residents of the State of Israel. This announcement is valid until quiet is restored to the region. Israel Defense Forces Command."
