Thousands in Gaza Struggle Amid Humanitarian Crisis as Israeli Forces Prepare for Campaign
As tension between Israel and Hamas intensifies, Gaza’s 2.3 million civilians are facing a dire humanitarian crisis. This comes in the wake of Hamas’ deadly assault on Israel a week ago, prompting fears of a looming invasion. While many residents have attempted to evacuate the northern half of the territory as ordered by Israel, others have sought refuge in hospitals in the north.
Israeli forces, backed by a growing deployment of US warships in the region, have positioned themselves along Gaza’s border. They have been preparing for what Israel describes as a comprehensive campaign involving air, land, and sea operations to dismantle the Palestinian Hamas group.
In response, Israel dropped leaflets over Gaza City and issued warnings on social media, urging over 1 million residents to move south. The military claims that this is an attempt to clear civilians from areas in the north, including underground hideouts within Gaza City. However, Hamas has encouraged people to stay in their homes.
Amid concerns raised by the UN and aid groups, the speedy evacuation coupled with Israel’s blockade of the 25-mile-long territory could lead to immeasurable human suffering. The World Health Organization warns that the evacuation could be equivalent to a death sentence for more than 2,000 patients currently in northern hospitals, including newborns in incubators and individuals requiring intensive care. Additionally, Gaza’s hospitals are expected to run out of fuel for emergency generators within two days, putting the lives of thousands of patients at risk.
Gaza was already grappling with a humanitarian crisis fueled by a scarcity of water and medical supplies caused by the Israeli blockade. As a result, electrical plants have been forced to shut down due to fuel shortages, exacerbating the situation. With some bakeries closing, residents are struggling to even secure bread for their children.
In the face of this dire situation, Gazans are fleeing southwards in search of safety. Haifa Khamis al-Shurafa, a resident of Gaza City, expressed her distress, saying, We don’t deserve this. We didn’t kill anyone.
Israel’s evacuation directive covers approximately half of Gaza’s population, accounting for 1.1 million residents. The Israeli military claims that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have adhered to the warning and moved south. Palestinians were given a six-hour window to travel safely within Gaza along two main routes, which ended on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, hundreds of relatives of the estimated 150 people captured by Hamas and taken to Gaza from Israel gathered outside the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, demanding their release. Many voiced their frustration towards the government, lamenting the lack of information about their loved ones.
In a nationally broadcasted address, Israel’s chief military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields. He also indicated that an attack on Gaza City was imminent, stating, We are going to attack Gaza City very broadly soon. However, no specific timetable for the assault was provided.
In preparation for an expected ground offensive, Israelis residing near the Gaza border, including those in the town of Sderot, continue to be evacuated. With Palestinians launching rocket barrages that penetrate deep into Israel and Israeli warplanes relentlessly bombarding Gaza, tensions continue to rise on both sides of the conflict.
