Thousands of Palestinians are continuing to flee Gaza City, a day after Israel announced a significant ground offensive aimed at occupying the city.
Amid large-scale bombing overnight, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported that al-Ranitisi children's hospital was targeted in three separate attacks, forcing half of its patients and their families to evacuate. The Israeli military is currently investigating these reports and stated it had struck over 150 'terror targets' within two days.
The Israeli government asserts that its objective is to defeat up to 3,000 Hamas fighters, identified as operating from the group's 'last stronghold' in Gaza, while also attempting to free hostages. However, this military effort has faced widespread international critique.
Leaders from more than 20 humanitarian organizations have urged global leaders to intervene, describing the situation as 'unconscionable' and urging for ‘urgent intervention’ as displaced masses navigate the perilous roads out of Gaza City.
The recent days have seen columns of Palestinians fleeing southwards in various means; some on foot, others using vehicles overloaded with belongings. This exodus has been facilitated through a single coastal road designated by Israeli authorities as ‘humanitarian’. Following this, the Israeli Defense Forces announced the opening of an additional evacuation route along the central Salah al-Din road, allowing escape for 48 hours starting at noon local time.
Despite the announcement, many have cited the prohibitive costs of travel. Reports indicate that transporting a small truck has skyrocketed to about 3,000 shekels (around $900), while simple tent accommodations cost around 4,000 shekels. Lina al-Maghrebi, a mother of three, recounted her struggles in the face of these dire costs, having to sell personal possessions to cover her family's displacement.
Humanitarian groups warn that the designated area for displaced people is woefully overcrowded and ill-equipped to manage the surge of migrants. The UN estimates approximately 650,000 remain in Gaza City while highlighting that around 350,000 have already fled, with some facing further challenges of inadequate space in the designated areas. Families who attempted to follow the military’s evacuation orders have returned north, finding no grounds to set up camps.
The offensive and its implications have sparked protests from families of hostages held by Hamas, with accusations that the military operation could endanger their loved ones.
The controversy surrounding these Israeli operations has reached international forums, with calls from the UN human rights chief condemning the actions as 'utterly unacceptable'. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has offered a more supportive stance towards Israel's actions, noting the complexities of negotiating with groups like Hamas.
Tragically, the aftermath of the initial military responses to Hamas's October 7th attack, which resulted in extensive loss of life and hostage situations, has culminated in significant civilian casualties, with reports estimating over 64,000 Palestinians dead amid the current military campaign, indicating a substantial humanitarian crisis.
As famine has already been declared in Gaza City, the UN warns that further escalation will deepen the humanitarian disaster for many in the region.
