Hundreds of thousands of Gazans have been forced to flee their homes as Israeli forces advance into the southern city of Rafah, marking one of the largest mass displacements in the ongoing conflict. The city, once a refuge for people escaping other areas devastated by the war, is now part of a newly declared “security zone” that Israeli forces are determined to seize.
The Israeli military has intensified its operations in Gaza, and on Thursday, airstrikes killed at least 97 people, including a deadly strike on the Dar Al-Arqam school in Gaza City, where displaced families were seeking shelter. Health authorities confirmed that at least 27 individuals, including women and children, perished in this attack. Israel claims to have targeted a Hamas command center within the building, but local medics and residents describe the strikes as indiscriminate, leaving many civilians dead.
The assault on Rafah represents a significant escalation in the war, which has claimed the lives of over 50,000 Palestinians since its resumption in March 2024. The city’s infrastructure has been largely destroyed, and families who had sought refuge in the area are now left with nowhere to turn. Many have fled to neighboring Khan Younis, but movement between the two cities is increasingly restricted due to ongoing airstrikes and blockades.
Residents of Rafah fear that Israel’s long-term goal is to permanently depopulate the area, seizing some of Gaza’s last agricultural lands and critical water infrastructure. Since the resumption of the war, Israel has imposed a complete blockade on Gaza, resulting in a dire humanitarian crisis.
As the conflict continues, the people of Gaza, particularly in Rafah and its surroundings, are left grappling with the devastating impacts of the war, without any clear path to safety or a lasting solution. The situation remains dire as Israel’s military operations show no signs of slowing down.
