Some 260,000 of the Gaza Strip's 1.8 million people have taken refuge in schools and other institutions run by the United Nations in the face of nearly four weeks of Israeli bombardment. Many are staying put for now, waiting to see if a 72-hour ceasefire that began on August 5 holds.
Meanwhile in southern Israeli areas that have been hit by daily rocket and mortar bomb attacks from the Gaza Strip, many residents also remained in their shelters.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Ashkelon, in southern Israel, has been a frequent target of rocket attacks from Gaza.
By law new apartments must be equipped with reinforced “safe rooms,” but those who don’t have access to such facilities can seek refuge in public shelters like the one pictured above.
Reuters photographer Amir Cohen captured pictures of Israelis in such shelters, living in makeshift conditions and sleeping on the floor.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Meanwhile in Gaza many families have sought protection in schools and other institutions.
Reuters photographer Mohammed Salem documented just some of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have sought refuge, as they lead a tense existence in these rough and ready shelters, where they are also left sleeping on the ground.
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. JABALIYA, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
A girl looks out of a classroom window at a U.N.-run school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Jabaliya refugee camp.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM
Children who fled their houses during the Israeli offensive play at another U.N.-run school in Gaza City.
. JABALIYA, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
A Palestinian boy bathes his brother.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Palestinians who fled their homes sleep on the floor in a U.N.-run school.
. JABALIYA, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
A young child lies on the ground inside a classroom in Jabaliya.
. JABALIYA, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
A Palestinian woman sits inside a U.N. school.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
A Palestinian woman prepares food on the ground.
. JABALIYA, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Palestinian children, who fled their homes, eat breakfast at a U.N.-run school.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Palestinians stay inside a classroom.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
A Palestinian woman walks down the stairs inside a U.N.-run school.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
A woman looks on as she stands outside her tent at a school.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Israeli children play outside a public bomb shelter in the southern city of Ashkelon.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Chairs stand next to a painted wall inside a public bomb shelter.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Three Israeli youths play in a public shelter.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
An Israeli girl sweeps the floor of a shelter as another holds a child.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
An Israeli toddler sits on the floor of a public bomb shelter.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
A mattress lies next to framed pictures.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
An Israeli man spreads hummus on a slice of bread.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
An Israeli woman smokes inside a shelter.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
An organ and mattresses are seen in a public bomb shelter.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Israelis sleeps on the floor.
. ASHKELON, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
An Israeli boy runs up the stairs in a public bomb shelter.