Smoke and flames are seen following what police said was an Israeli air strike in Rafah in Gaza Strip

Smoke and flames are seen following what police said was an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip July 9, 2014. At least 23 people were killed across Gaza, Palestinian officials said on Wednesday, by a bombardment Israel said may be just the start of a lengthy offensive against Islamist militants whose rockets struck deeper than ever before into Israel. REUTERS/Stringer (GAZA – Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)