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WARNING: This story contains a disturbing image of death.
In the ongoing conflict, Israel’s military operations have significantly impacted the city of Rafah, located at the southern end of the Gaza Strip. Reports from residents indicate that the Israeli forces are systematically destroying what remains of the city, raising concerns about plans to confine the population to a large encampment within the desolate landscape.
For nearly two months, the 2.3 million residents of Gaza have not received any food or medical supplies due to a total blockade imposed by Israel, following the breakdown of a six-week ceasefire agreement.
Since reinitiating its ground offensive in mid-March, Israel has made substantial territorial gains, displacing residents from areas classified as “buffer zones” that encompass roughly 20 percent of Gaza, including all of Rafah.
According to Israeli public broadcaster Kan, the military is establishing a new “humanitarian zone” in Rafah. Civilians would be relocated to this area after undergoing security screenings to prevent Hamas fighters from entering. Aid distribution is reportedly set to be handled by private companies.
The Israeli military has not issued any comments regarding this report. Meanwhile, residents describe incessant explosions in what once was their city, which housed around 300,000 people. One displaced individual, Tamer, shared via text message, “The explosions never cease. We know that with each tremor, more homes in Rafah are being reduced to rubble. Rafah is no more.”
Friends as far away as Egypt have reached out to him, noting how the sounds of explosions disturb the sleep of their children.
Another displaced resident, Abu Mohammed, expressed fears of being forced into Rafah, likening it to being trapped in a “cage of a concentration camp,” entirely cut off from the outside world.
27 Palestinians reported killed in recent strikes
In a severe escalation, at least 27 Palestinians were reported killed due to Israeli airstrikes overnight, as per local health officials. The Israeli military did not provide immediate commentary on these developments.
Among the casualties was a home in Beit Lahiya, where ten individuals lost their lives, including a Palestinian prisoner, Abdel-Fattah Abu Mahadi, recently released during the temporary ceasefire. His family suffered grievous losses; his wife, two children, and grandchild were among the deceased, per reports from Indonesian Hospital.
Another strike targeted a residence in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including two women, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry’s emergency services. Additionally, an airstrike in Khan Younis claimed the lives of at least ten individuals, including five young siblings, alongside two other children and their parents, according to Nasser Hospital.
Gaza on the brink of mass hunger and disease, per UN reports
The total blockade, imposed by Israel since March 2, has led officials to claim that sufficient supplies were delivered during the preceding six weeks of the truce. They argue that allowing additional aid could enable Hamas to misuse it.
However, United Nations agencies have warned that the situation in Gaza has deteriorated to critical levels, with the population nearing mass hunger and disease. The current conditions are reportedly the most dire since the commencement of the conflict on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched attacks on Israeli communities.
The International Court of Justice began hearings recently related to Israel’s obligation to ensure humanitarian assistance to the occupied territories.
WATCH | At least 23 killed in overnight strikes on school shelter last week:
Deadly Israeli strikes set tents ablaze in Gaza City school-turned-shelter
Recent Israeli strikes have also caused fatalities among civilians seeking refuge in shelters; at least 23 Palestinians were killed while inside a school turned makeshift refuge in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City. The assaults resulted in extensive damage, igniting tents and classrooms.
Attempts at negotiations mediated by Qatar and Egypt have so far failed to secure an extension of the ceasefire. During this pause, Hamas released 38 hostages while Israel freed hundreds of prisoners and detainees.
Currently, 59 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with many believed to be alive. Hamas has stated it would only release them in a deal that concludes hostilities; Israel insists it will only agree to temporary ceasefires unless Hamas is fully disarmed, a demand the group rejects.
During discussions in Doha, the Prime Minister of Qatar indicated that progress has been made in discussions surrounding a new ceasefire agreement.
On a troubling note, the World Food Program has announced that it has run out of food supplies in Gaza, marking the duration of the longest blockade the region has encountered.
Amid this humanitarian crisis, some residents have resorted to foraging for edible weeds, while others have sought dry leaves from trees. Desperate individuals, including local fishermen, have taken to catching turtles, skimming their shells, and selling their meat to survive.
The ongoing conflict ignited following Hamas-led assaults, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages in October 2023, according to Israeli reports. Since the beginning of the Israeli military campaign against Gaza, Palestinian health officials estimate that over 51,400 individuals have been killed.
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