In pictures: As Israel drops evacuation warnings, Palestinians flee north Gaza

Ehab Al Batsh holds a pillow stained with blood at the scene where 18 members of his family were killed, including 19-year-old Samah, who was three months pregnant, and her one-year-old daughter Amal. The search continues for five bodies of the Batsh family whose home was destroyed by an airstrikes on Saturday night. Heidi Levine for The National

An Israeli shell on the ground near the Batsh family’s home, which killed 18 family members. The strike hit the home of Gaza police chief Taysir Al Batsh and damaged a nearby mosque as evening prayers ended on Saturday. Heidi Levine for The National

Scores of families fleeing their homes in Beit Lehiya in northern Gaza to take shelter at the United Nations school in Gaza City on Sunday, July 13, 2014. Israel briefly deployed ground troops inside the Gaza Strip for the first time early Sunday as its military warned northern residents to evacuate their homes. Heidi Levine for The National

A young boy carries his bird cage as Palestinians arrive at the UNRWA school in the Beach Refugee Camp. By Sunday afternoon, the number of those arriving from the north appeared to far exceed the initial estimate of 4,000, evidenced by overcrowding at UN-run schools that have been transformed into shelters. Heidi Levine for The National

Rasimia Al Tar, 70, and her granddaughter Sabouma sleep on the floor of a classroom at the UNRWA elementary school in Beach Camp on July 13, 2014. About 4,000 residents of northern Gaza left their homes to head south to take refuge in United Nations facilities in Gaza City. Heidi Levine for The National

Civilians have borne the brunt of Israel’s onslaught in the territory, which by Sunday afternoon had killed at least 165 people. Heidi Levine for The National

‘This one strike has destroyed our family. How can Israel get away with this atrocity,’ said Mounthir Al Batsh, 55, a relative of the family. Heidi Levine for The National

Over the last three days, Israel began warning people by telephone, dropping leaflets and television to leave large parts of northern Gaza, such as Beit Lahiya, Salatin and Atatra. Heidi Levine for The National

On Sunday, July 13, Israel dropped leaflets telling civilians to ‘evacuate residences immediately and move by 12pm today’. Heidi Levine for The National

Palestinians take shelter at a UN-run school elementary school on July 13,2014. The UN agency plans to open dozens more schools and facilities, according to a UNRWA employee. Heidi Levine for The National

The agency could provide shelter to 50,000 displaced people in the event of a ground invasion, said the UNRWA’s director of Gaza operations, Robert Turner. Heidi Levine for The National

An elderly Palestinian woman holds a white flag as a family travels on a donkey cart as they flee their home in Beit Lehiya in northern Gaza to take shelter at the United Nations school in Gaza City on July 13, 2014. Heidi Levine for The National

At least 4,000 residents of northern Gaza have fled their homes to take refuge in Gaza City, as Israel continues its aerial offensive against Hamas targets. The United Nations says that 70 per cent of those killed so far were civilians.