Approximately 50,000 individuals have evacuated the southern Gazan city of Rafah within the last 48 hours following an evacuation directive issued by Israel's military. The senior staffer at the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported the mass exodus on Wednesday.
The displaced residents have dispersed to various locations, with some heading to Khan Younis, others seeking refuge in the expanded humanitarian area of Al-Mawasi, and some moving towards Deir al-Balah.
The UNRWA official emphasized the importance of allowing individuals to choose their destinations, pledging to provide assistance to those in need regardless of where they decide to seek shelter with their families.
Concerns were raised regarding the conditions in the designated expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, as it lacks essential infrastructure such as sewage systems, water facilities, and proper roads. The area is already accommodating over 400,000 displaced individuals, posing challenges for delivering adequate aid.
Furthermore, those fleeing to Khan Younis are arriving in an area that has already been significantly impacted by the ongoing conflict, highlighting the urgent need for additional humanitarian support to address the escalating crisis.
