UN reports 80,000 people have evacuated Gaza city due to escalating Israeli strikes

The conflict in Gaza escalates as more than 80,000 people flee the city of Rafah amid constant bombardment by Israeli forces. The United Nations reports that the situation is dire, with food and fuel running out and aid unable to reach those in need.

Israeli tanks and troops have massed near built-up areas in Rafah, while Palestinian armed groups target Israeli forces to the east. The Israeli military claims to be conducting “targeted activity” in the area, but the UN warns of a looming humanitarian catastrophe if the violence continues.

The closure of the Rafah crossing with Egypt and the dangerous conditions at the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel have further exacerbated the crisis. The UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) struggles to provide assistance as the fighting intensifies.

Residents and aid workers in Rafah describe a constant barrage of artillery and air strikes, with the sound of drones overhead adding to the sense of fear and terror. Casualties mount as the conflict rages on, with reports of civilian deaths and injuries on both sides.

The director of a hospital in central Rafah laments the lack of resources and medical supplies to treat the influx of casualties, many of whom have suffered “unusual injuries caused by unusual weapons.” The closure of another hospital due to fighting only adds to the strain on the already overwhelmed healthcare system.

As the situation deteriorates, the IDF urges displaced people to head towards designated humanitarian areas, but concerns are raised about the conditions in these overcrowded and underserved locations. The UN warns of a critical shortage of fuel and supplies needed to support those affected by the conflict.

International pressure mounts as US President Joe Biden threatens to cut off weapons supplies to Israel if a full-scale assault on Rafah occurs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defiantly asserts that Israel can “stand alone” if necessary, vowing to fight with whatever means are available.

Indirect talks in Cairo on a ceasefire and hostage release deal stall, further complicating efforts to de-escalate the conflict. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with no clear path to a resolution in sight.

As the violence continues to escalate and the humanitarian crisis deepens, the people of Gaza are caught in the crossfire, facing uncertainty and fear for their lives. The world watches with bated breath as the conflict in Gaza shows no signs of abating.