Tens of thousands of Gazans flocked to the town of Beit Hanun on Thursday to mourn 18 civilians killed when a barrage of Israeli shells tore through their homes. According to the AP, the bodies were carried on stretchers from the 18 ambulances that brought them from hospital morgues to their homes ahead of funeral prayers.
A cemetery under construction in Beit Hanun was hastily opened to accommodate the victims.
A three-day mourning period declared by Palestinian leaders kept shops shuttered.
The U.N. Security Council was to meet in special session Thursday. Palestinians hoped for a condemnation of Israel.
Meanwhile, Israel is bracing itself for possible retaliatory attacks following the deadly strike in Beit Hanun.
In all, 28 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded, some seriously, in both the West Bank and Gaza by Wednesday's end by Israeli troops.
A nationwide alert was declared thoughout Israel in an effort to thwart suicide bombings, kidnappings and rocket attacks, according to Ynet, after all Palestinian factions said they would respond Israel's lethal strike.
A total of 21 Qassam rockets were fired into Israel from the Strip since Wednesday's attack on Beit Hanun.
