Family returns home to Beit Lahiya after fleeing Israeli bombardment

(3 Aug 2014) Displaced residents of the northern Gazan town of Beit Lahiya travelled back to their homes on Sunday after being told by the Israeli military it was safe to return. The area, from which Gaza militants have previously fired rockets at Israel, came under heavy tank fire during Israel's ground operation, forcing thousands to flee their homes. The al-Ghaben family was among those to return on Sunday. They left Beit Lahiya three weeks ago, when the Israeli military warned them to evacuate, amid intense Israeli bombardment. The family found refuge at a United Nations school in Jebaliya, which was sheltering some 3,300 people. Two members of the al-Ghaben family were killed when the school was struck by Israeli tank shells. The Israeli military said it was responding to mortar fire coming from the area. Dalal al-Ghaben, one of the displaced residents, said she never felt safe at the school because of the airstrikes. "Whoever they (Israeli troops) see they attack; part of the resistance or not part of the resistance. The important thing is that they want to kill, they want to destroy homes," said Dalal al-Ghaben. In nearly four weeks of fighting, Palestinian health officials say more than 1,750 Palestinians, mainly civilians have been killed. Nearly 70 Israelis, almost all soldiers, have been killed. Large swathes of Gaza have been destroyed and some 250,000 people have been forced to flee their homes since the war began. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...