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Destruction in Khuza׳a.Photo by AV, 10 Sep 2014Photo of the first attempted exodus fromKhuza'a, on cellphone of Dr. Kamal Qdeih.Photo dated 23 Jul 2014connections with armed groups (termed by Gaza residents as ‘the resistance’).Therefore, they believed they would not be targeted as they were civilians. Others,like Samia Abu Daka, whose home is in the nearby town of Abasan Al Kabir, came toKhuza’a from other threatened areas hoping that it would be safer. Of those who didleave for areas further west in the Khan Younis governorate, some returned a fewdays later, around 20 July 2014, thinking the area was now safe.On 21 July 2014 Israeli forces bombed the access routes from Khuza’a to Khan Younis,causing craters and obstacles that would not allow passage of vehicles on the roads.The access of the residents of Khuza’a to the outside world was therefore severelyrestricted for several days. The description that follows is of what occurred thereduring that time.2. Sheltering with friends and family, 20-23 July 2014Heavy shelling began in Khuza’a. Tanks and ground forces arrived in the town andIsraeli soldiers occupied several houses, using them as military posts. Residents ofthe town reported the destruction of several houses by the Israeli army on the nightof 20 July 2014 and during the day of 21 July 2014. Shelling and shooting were heardin different parts of the town on the morning of 21 July 2014.Many residents sheltered in large groups in homes that had not been occupied by theIsraeli army, too afraid to leave:Samia Abu Daka spent this period in her brother’s home (see point 3 on the map).With her were her elderly parents, her brother and sister-in-law with their six youngchildren and her own son.81