Live Updates: U.N. Issues Dire Warning on Gaza’s Conditions Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

Israel’s Invasion of Rafah Leaves Hundreds of Thousands in Misery

As Israel’s invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip enters its third week, the situation for the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the city has become increasingly dire. Shortages of food, clean water, and bathrooms have made the experience of relocating particularly dreadful, with price gouging making transportation unaffordable for many, especially older and disabled individuals.

Khalil el-Halabi, a retired U.N. official in his 70s who left Rafah for Al-Mawasi, a designated “humanitarian zone,” described the horrific circumstances faced by those fleeing the city. “We don’t have what we need,” he said. “We can barely even find water.”

According to a United Nations official, more than 800,000 people have left Rafah in the past two weeks, with Israel’s military reporting that over 950,000 civilians in the city have relocated following expanded evacuation orders. However, an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 civilians still remain in Rafah.

The latest wave of displacement began on May 6 when Israel issued evacuation notices and launched military operations in eastern Rafah, prompting many to seek refuge in other areas. Ali Jebril, a wheelchair-bound basketball player, recounted paying $600 to transport his family from eastern Rafah to Khan Younis, where they now reside in a tent on the grounds of a hospital.

“We’re not living a dignified life,” Jebril said. “We’re confronting a catastrophe.” The ongoing war has left him feeling like a burden on society, constantly relying on others for assistance.

Edem Wosornu, a U.N. official, described the dire conditions in makeshift camps near Khan Younis and Deir al Balah, lacking basic necessities like sanitation, water, and shelter. She referred to the situation as a “catastrophe, a nightmare, as hell on earth.”

Since the conflict began in October, three-quarters of Gaza’s population has been displaced, with many individuals forced to move multiple times. While Israel claims the evacuation orders are a humanitarian measure to protect civilians, aid groups argue that the additional displacement is exacerbating an already catastrophic situation.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that people in Gaza are living in makeshift tents made from blankets and nylon, with some set up on unstable beach slopes. Limited access to food and dwindling financial resources have left many struggling to survive.

Despite some commercial trucks entering Gaza, aid deliveries through key crossings have slowed significantly. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian aid, highlighted the challenges faced by displaced individuals, who must leave behind their belongings with each relocation.

As the crisis in Rafah continues to unfold, the international community faces mounting pressure to provide assistance and support to those affected by the conflict. The plight of the displaced civilians serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for humanitarian intervention in the region.