As humanitarian crisis deepens, the UN expresses concern over lack of resources for displaced families fleeing southern Gaza.

Over 100,000 people have fled Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, after Israel intensified its bombardment, according to UN officials. This marks one of the largest movements of people in Gaza in recent months, as families seek shelter from the escalating violence. The region has already been home to more than 1 million displaced people, and aid agencies warn that the situation is worsening.

The newly displaced are at high risk of being left without basic necessities for survival, with many forced to seek refuge in makeshift camps amid the rubble of their former homes. One UN official in Rafah said, “There is a lot of fear and trepidation,” as roads became clogged with cars, donkey carts, and people fleeing on foot. Humanitarian workers expressed concerns that this number could swell to 300,000 in the coming days, but the region lacks the infrastructure to accommodate such large numbers.

As Israel proceeds with its military operations in Rafah, which include airstrikes and tank bombardments, efforts to provide aid have been hindered. The Rafah border crossing, crucial for the delivery of supplies, has been seized by Israel, cutting off vital resources to southern Gaza. Humanitarian organizations are struggling to provide even basic necessities, with no stockpiles remaining after seven months of conflict.

The civilian toll is rising sharply, with reports of dozens more casualties following Israel’s strikes on eastern Rafah, a neighborhood already evacuated under orders from the Israel Defense Forces. Medical facilities in Rafah, including the Emirati hospital, have been overwhelmed, and the UN is planning a risky convoy to deliver medicine and equipment in the coming days.

The situation has further strained US-Israel relations, with US President Joe Biden announcing plans to halt certain military supplies to Israel in light of the ongoing destruction in urban centers like Rafah. Despite this, Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Israel Katz, have vowed to continue operations against Hamas, with some calling for a full occupation of Rafah.

As fighting continues, Gaza’s health ministry reported at least 60 deaths in the past 24 hours, with the daily toll continuing to rise. Local residents, including a man who is unable to leave due to his elderly parents’ health, described the constant terror of drones and bombings.