GAZA, Jan 1 (Reuters) - Israel will allow about 400 foreigners living in the Gaza Strip to leave on Friday, a Palestinian official said, quoting a humanitarian agency which said it had received Israeli notification. Israeli officials declined to immediately confirm the decision, which could be part of preparations for an escalation of Israel's six-day-old air offensive against Islamist targets in the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory. Many of the resident foreigners are spouses of Gaza Paleastinians and their children.
Israelis take cover in a stairwell as a warning siren for incoming rockets is sounded in the port city of Ashdod January 1, 2009. Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday ...
