Thousands upon thousands of worn-out Palestinians in Rafah are hastily dismantling their tents and gathering their belongings, embarking on a new journey of displacement.
The closure of the main hospital has left little support for those grappling with malnutrition, sickness, and injuries. As vital supplies like fuel dwindle, aid workers are working frantically to assist a population exhausted after enduring seven months of conflict.
With the looming threat of a full-scale invasion, panic and chaos have engulfed Gaza’s densely populated southern city. Israel’s seizure of the nearby border crossing with Egypt has compounded the situation, leaving families displaced multiple times by the conflict in a state of uncertainty.
The past few days have seen a tumultuous exodus from Rafah, with streams of people on foot or in vehicles congesting the roads, their vehicles piled high with belongings. Meanwhile, the sound of Israeli bombardment echoes in the background, casting a pall of smoke over the scene.
Nuzhat Jarjer, a resident, lamented, “The war has infiltrated even our schools. There’s nowhere safe anymore.” Her family, like many others, packed up to leave a UN school-turned-shelter in Rafah, which had housed hundreds for months.
Rafah, once home to 250,000 residents, has swelled to accommodate around 1.4 million people fleeing from across Gaza. Tent camps sprawl across nearly every available space, and families cram into makeshift accommodations in schools or with relatives, relying heavily on aid groups for sustenance.
As Israel issues evacuation orders for eastern parts of Rafah, uncertainty looms. Tens of thousands have fled, seeking refuge in other districts or neighboring towns like Khan Younis, which bore the brunt of Israeli ground assaults.
The situation in Muwasi, a rural area designated by Israel as a “humanitarian zone,” is dire. Already packed with some 450,000 people, the zone lacks adequate facilities and clean water, with temperatures soaring to unbearable levels.
Amid the chaos, the plight of displaced Palestinians is heartbreaking. Families struggle to find tents amidst severe shortages, resorting to selling aid-provided food to purchase shelter. Basic necessities like water become unaffordable luxuries, exacerbating the suffering of those already displaced and vulnerable.
As tensions escalate and humanitarian crises worsen, the international community’s urgent intervention is needed to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s besieged population.
