As Israeli Forces continue to intensify their bombardment in Rafah, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, reports that around 110,000 people have fled the area in search of safety. However, the living conditions in the Gaza Strip are dire, with no safe haven in sight. The only hope for the residents is an immediate ceasefire to put an end to the violence and displacement.
In addition to the immediate threat of military action, UN aid agencies have warned that the humanitarian operation in the enclave has been crippled since Israeli tanks entered the Rafah border crossing. Without a revival of humanitarian operations, the situation is expected to worsen in the next 48 hours, according to UNICEF Senior Emergency Coordinator, Hamish Young. The urgency of the situation is clear, and action must be taken swiftly to prevent a further deterioration of living conditions.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned a recent attack on an UNRWA facility in Jerusalem by protesters. Targeting aid workers and humanitarian assets is unacceptable and must be stopped, emphasized Guterres. This attack, along with previous incidents of violence towards UNRWA, highlights the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in the region and the need for protection and support.
The latest images from Rafah show a continuous stream of people leaving the city in response to evacuation orders from the Israeli military. Most of the displaced individuals are seeking refuge in Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah, but these areas lack the necessary services to support the influx of civilians in need of food, shelter, and healthcare. The roads to the coastal zone of Al Mawasi, where Gazans have been instructed to move, are congested, making the situation even more challenging for those fleeing the violence.
Desperate scenes of families being uprooted once again are being witnessed in Gaza, with many hundreds of trucks, buses, cars, and donkey carts loaded with people and possessions leaving the southern city. Families lack proper sanitation facilities, drinking water, and shelter, leading to a rise in open defecation and unsanitary conditions. The emotional toll on the residents is evident, with one father expressing his desperation and sadness at the lack of safe options for his family. The tragic situation highlights the dire need for immediate assistance and support for the displaced civilians in Gaza.
