Gaza City (CNN) — One bomb fell on a center for the disabled. Another wiped out 18 members of the same family.

By Monday morning, the death toll from nearly a week of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza had reached 172 — all of them Palestinians — with more than 1,250 wounded, according to Palestinian health authorities.

‘We have nothing’

Over the weekend, Israel dropped leaflets instructing residents to leave northern areas of Gaza, where it planned to carry out strikes. But Hamas, which controls Gaza, told people to stay put.

Ahmed, a resident of northern Gaza, loaded his family into a taxi Sunday to take them to somewhat safer ground in Gaza City.

 Map of the Middle East

Map of the Middle East

Israeli strike hits home for handicapped

Israel drops warning leaflets on Gaza

Life on the Gaza border for Israelis

“I don’t answer to them,” Ahmed said of Hamas’ request. “I do what’s best for us.” Read More.