During the course of the Israeli air, ground and sea assaults on Gaza there has been a considerable shift in the nature of the offensive.
The aerial and ground attacks have risen in volume and ferocity and have shifted focus from civil security offices, public service buildings and mosques, to random bombardment of entire neighbourhoods, empty fields within the periphery of these neighbourhoods and vacated or partially vacated buildings.
Now, Israeli forces have taken to directly targeting and destroying residential buildings and homes, civilian cars transporting entire families and schools that provide shelter for the thousands of displaced families in the Gaza Strip.
‘Tomorrow never comes’
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) schools turned shelters have provided cover from the rain and cold for many displaced Gazans but they have failed to provide protection from Israeli missiles.
Although 45 people were killed when a UN school in the northern city of Jabaliya - where 350 Gazans were taking shelter - was hit, those that survived have had little option other than to remain living in the building.