Meanwhile, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment of a northern area in the Gaza Strip. It’s also declared the area a “no-go” zone for Palestinians. Israeli forces pulled out of Gaza earlier this year, but maintain full control over its borders and airspace. The Israeli government called the strikes a response to Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli border towns, which Palestinians in turn describe as a response to Israeli military operations throughout the Occupied Territories. At least 20 shells have been fired into northern Gaza since Wednesday, wounding two Palestinians.