Mass Exodus from Rafah as Israeli Airstrikes Intensify: UN Reports

The United Nations reported on Thursday that tens of thousands of people have fled the southern Gazan city of Rafah following an Israeli call to evacuate part of the area. The situation has escalated as Israeli airstrikes continue and fears of a full-scale invasion by Israeli ground forces loom.

According to Louise Wateridge, a spokeswoman for the main U.N. agency aiding Palestinians, an estimated 79,000 people have left Rafah since Monday. Videos posted on social media show vans loaded with mattresses driving through the city lined with tents, highlighting the urgency and fear among residents.

The population of Rafah had swelled to over one million in recent months, with many people living in tents or makeshift shelters. Residents and aid workers have reported grim conditions, severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.

Riyad al-Masry, a sign language interpreter, shared his experience of evacuating from Rafah with his extended family due to the escalating violence. He described the constant fear of military clashes, bombardment, and artillery fire, emphasizing the dire situation faced by those remaining in the city.

Israel initiated a limited operation on Monday to secure the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and destroy Hamas positions following a deadly rocket attack. The Israeli authorities urged around 110,000 people in Rafah to evacuate to a designated humanitarian zone on Gaza’s coast for safety and essential supplies.

However, aid workers have raised concerns about the capacity of the humanitarian zone to accommodate more people, given the existing overcrowding and lack of adequate resources. The closure of border crossings by Israel has further complicated the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.

Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the U.N. humanitarian office in Geneva, emphasized the challenges of providing aid in a highly active war zone like Rafah. He stressed the importance of ensuring that aid reaches those in need, calling on all parties to facilitate the safe passage of humanitarian supplies.

The situation in Rafah remains volatile, with the international community closely monitoring developments and urging all parties to prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the conflict.