Residents and displaced people in eastern Rafah are currently facing a situation of fear and panic following an evacuation order issued by the Israeli military on Monday. According to reports from the area, Red Cross teams are actively involved in the evacuation process, going through eastern Rafah and instructing people to leave by evening.
One family shared their experience of preparing to relocate from eastern Rafah to a tented area in western Rafah. This marks the fourth time they have been forced to move, having previously relocated from central Gaza to Khan Yunis and then to Rafah. The homeowner received a direct call from the Israeli military instructing them to vacate the premises.
The family recounted enduring a series of air attacks overnight, adding to the distress and urgency of the situation. The military estimates that approximately 100,000 individuals will be displaced from eastern Rafah, emphasizing the scale and impact of the evacuation order.
Israeli authorities have outlined a multi-faceted communication strategy to notify residents in Rafah about the evacuation order. This includes text messages, phone calls, media broadcasts in Arabic, as well as distributing flyers instructing people to evacuate immediately.
It is important to note that previous evacuation orders issued by Israel in Gaza have drawn criticism from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations. Concerns have been raised about the lack of safe spaces within the enclave for displaced individuals to seek refuge.
