Mass Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza as Conflict Intensifies

Due to the escalation of violence in Gaza and the seizure of the Rafah crossing by the Israeli military, tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have fled the city of Rafah in search of safety. The main hospital in Rafah has closed, leaving little medical care for those suffering from malnutrition, illnesses, and wounds. With fuel and supplies cut off, aid workers are struggling to provide assistance to a population already devastated by seven months of conflict. As the possibility of a full-scale invasion looms, confusion reigns as families flee districts they were previously ordered to leave, unsure where to go. Israel has warned residents of eastern Rafah to evacuate, seizing the Rafah crossing with Egypt in the process. However, international efforts continue for a ceasefire, with the US warning Israel that it has not provided a credible plan for evacuating and protecting civilians. As a result, many Palestinians have fled to nearby towns, such as Khan Younis, despite the destruction caused during a months-long Israeli ground assault. Aid organizations report shortages of clean water, dehydration, and disease, with many children requiring medical attention. The closure of the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings has also cut off the entry of food, supplies, and fuel for aid trucks and generators, leaving aid workers with only a few days’ worth of fuel before humanitarian operations and hospitals around Gaza begin to shut down. Without access to the Rafah crossing, the U.N.’s World Food Program has been cut off from its Gaza food warehouse, leading to shortages of essential items. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, aid workers express concern for the welfare of the population, warning that many cannot simply pack up and move due to malnutrition, injury, and illness. The situation is described as “intolerable” and “life-sized cage,” with no means of entering or exiting Gaza without the gates being open.