The city of Rafah in southern Gaza was thrown into chaos on Monday as Israel issued an evacuation order for parts of the city, prompting a sense of panic among the more than a million Palestinians seeking refuge from months of war.
As the rain poured down, residents scrambled to dismantle their tents, unsure of where they would go next. Prices for fuel and food skyrocketed, adding to the anxiety and uncertainty gripping the city.
Nidal Kuhail, a 29-year-old resident of Gaza City who had been sheltering in Rafah with his family, expressed the fear and confusion that many were feeling. “If we have to leave, we will be entering the unknown,” he said. “Are we going to have a place to go? Are we going to be able to find a place to set up the tent?”
The evacuation order, which covered eastern parts of the city, raised concerns about a potential ground invasion by Israel as it seeks to dismantle Hamas in Gaza. This sudden shift from optimism to fear left many residents unsure of how to proceed.
Mousa Ramadan al-Bahabsa, a 55-year-old father of 11, found himself at a loss after the evacuation order was issued. With no money to leave, he and his family faced a difficult decision. “All the people around me are evacuating,” he said. “I do not know where to go or who to ask for help.”
Leaving Rafah proved to be a costly endeavor, with prices for transportation soaring beyond the reach of many residents. Even a donkey-drawn cart, the cheapest option, was out of reach for some.
The evacuation order also led to a spike in prices for essential goods, further straining the already precarious situation for residents. Malak Barbakh, a mother of eight, struggled to gather her children as her husband packed their belongings. The uncertainty of the future weighed heavily on her. “What scares me most is the unknown,” she said. “I am so fed up with this nasty life.”
For Mahmoud Mohammed al-Burdeiny, the evacuation order came as a shock, prompting him to hastily pack his belongings and prepare for the worst. The sight of neighbors fleeing only heightened his sense of urgency. “I saw the long road by the beach full of trucks, vans, and cars,” he said. “I felt infected with the disease of leaving, like the others.”
As residents grappled with the decision to stay or leave, the looming threat of a ground invasion added to the already dire situation in Rafah. The future remains uncertain for those caught in the crossfire of conflict, with many facing the heartbreaking choice of leaving behind their homes and belongings in search of safety.