DHAKA: People flee their homes by foot after heavy overnight bombardment killed dozens of Palestinians.

Thousands of people fled Gaza's eastern district of Shujayea as heavy bombardment from the Israeli army continued into the morning, with the Palestinian death toll over the last 13 days reaching 400.

The Palestinian enclave was hit overnight with the heaviest barrage of tank shells since the beginning of Israel's offensive against Hamas on July 8.

The eastern neighborhoods of Shujayea, al-Shaaf and al-Tuffa were worst hit.

In the early afternoon on Sunday, Israel agreed to observe a two-hour humanitarian ceasefire in Shujayea to allow the evacuation of the wounded, but it was broken less than an hour after it was announced.

Israel’s military said its forces were shot at shortly after the two-hour truce, facilitated by the Red Cross, had begun at

10:30am GMT, and that it had resumed combat operations.

The Palestinian Hamas movement said earlier that it would abide by a temporary truce.

Al Jazeera's Stefanie Dekker in Gaza witnessed desperate civilians making their way into Gaza City in the morning.

"While driving into the bureau, we were met by hundreds of people on foot carrying their children, carrying plastic bags filled with whatever belongings they could take with them. They couldn't leave during the night," said Al Jazeera correspondent.

Dozens of bodies were brought to hospitals from Shujayea on Sunday morning, and more are expected to arrive after ambulances could access the neighborhoods.

Those killed included the son of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, Osama, his wife Hala and their two children. 

BDST: 1936 HRS, JUL 20, 2014