As the exodus from Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, continues since last Monday, Israeli forces have opened fire on the displaced people west of the city. Bombardment also struck a house in the Abasan area east of Khan Younis, resulting in the deaths of 8 individuals. Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) confirmed today that the number of displaced people from Rafah has risen to 110,000 amid intensified Israeli bombardment in the city.
In a tweet on the X platform, they stated, "As Israeli bombing increases in Rafah, forced displacement continues." They added, "Estimates indicate that around 110,000 people have fled Rafah in search of safety." However, they pointed out that there is no safe place throughout the Gaza Strip, which is experiencing dire living conditions. They emphasized that "the only hope is an immediate ceasefire."
Georgios Petropoulos, head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), noted that "about 30,000 people are displaced from the city every day," explaining that "most of these people have had to flee five or six times" since the war between Israel and Hamas began. This follows the agency's report that around 80,000 Palestinians had fled Rafah since the sixth of this month, also warning that there is no safe area in the entire enclave.
Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adraee announced last Monday that the military had urged people in certain areas of Rafah to head to Khan Younis to avoid an imminent military operation. He warned the displaced not to return north or approach the eastern and southern security fences, stressing that Gaza City remains a "dangerous combat area."
The following day, the Israeli army declared complete control over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing separating Gaza from Egyptian territories. Over the past three days, thousands have fled the city, leading to crowded roads outside Rafah filled with people either walking or in vehicles amid a chaotic evacuation marked by anxiety and panic. Displaced persons piled their belongings onto cars, trucks, and donkey-drawn carts.
Relief workers rushed to assist residents stranded after seven months of war. Many UN organizations have repeatedly warned about the miserable living conditions faced by Rafah residents, confirming that there are no safe areas for these civilians throughout the enclave. Meanwhile, Israel has repeatedly reiterated its intention to invade the city "to eliminate Hamas," according to their claims.
