Israeli forces withdraw from Shujaiya 'after horrific massacres'

Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza City's Shujaiya neighbourhood on Wednesday, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. 

Residents returned to the scene of flattened homes and massive destruction of civilian infrastructure. 

The Gaza-based government's media said the Israeli army pulled out after "horrific massacres and the displacement of thousands of people". 

The Palestinian civil defence said they reached some areas for the first time since the assault started two weeks ago, but only found dead bodies. 

There are almost no houses still suitable for habitation, it added, with Shujaiya now turned into a "ghost town".