Israel's Rafah Escalation Sparks Civilian Fears, Hampers Aid
Efforts in Gaza
Dunes and rubble now stand as the only refuge for
Palestinians amidst escalating tensions in Rafah, where the aid response is
struggling to keep pace, according to a senior UNRWA official.
The ominous specter of a full-scale Israeli invasion looms
large over Rafah, as on 6 May, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders
impacting roughly 100,000 residents in the eastern part of the city. This move
intensifies apprehensions that the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip is on
the brink of large-scale conflict.
Rafah, home to between 1.3 and 1.5 million Palestinians, has
become a sanctuary for many forcibly displaced individuals, with approximately
80% of its population having been uprooted from other parts of Gaza due to
Israel's prolonged military campaign spanning seven months. Despite enduring
immense pressure, Rafah stands as one of the few major population centers in
Gaza that has not been decimated by Israeli bombardment.
Sam Rose, the director of planning for the United Nations
Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), warned that if the Israeli military operation
persists, Rafah, too, may succumb to destruction, leaving its inhabitants with
nothing. In an exclusive interview with The New Humanitarian on May 7, 2024,
Rose provided insights into the impact of evacuation orders and escalating
Israeli attacks on Rafah's residents, while also addressing the challenges
faced by humanitarian organizations in responding to the crisis.
He lamented the grim reality, stating, "Everyone will
have lost everything if this goes ahead, and there’s very little we can do as a
humanitarian community."
Rafah serves as a vital entry point for the limited aid
permitted by Israel into Gaza, and it serves as a base for humanitarian
organizations striving to meet the overwhelming needs of the population, which
have been exacerbated by prolonged siege and destructive military campaigns.
The potential ramifications of an Israeli invasion of Rafah
are dire, prompting world leaders and aid agencies to issue repeated warnings
about the catastrophic humanitarian fallout and the potential violation of
international law. While negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue, the
current escalation raises uncertainties about whether it signifies the onset of
a full-scale invasion or a more limited operation.
However, amidst this uncertainty, one fact remains
unequivocal: the people of Gaza are on the verge of collapse, with their
lifeline hanging by a thread. Rose starkly remarked, "The population [of
Gaza] is on life support, and that life support is failing."
The impact of the Israeli evacuation orders is already palpable
on the ground. With approximately 100,000 people affected within the evacuation
zone, residents, particularly those already displaced, are hastily abandoning
their makeshift shelters, and fearing the impending onslaught. Moreover, the
closure of key services within the evacuation areas compounds the humanitarian
crisis, jeopardizing access to essential healthcare and water services for a
larger population beyond the designated zone.
Furthermore, the closure of border crossings at Kerem Shalom
and Rafah exacerbates the already dire situation, impeding the flow of aid into
Gaza. With these crossings serving as the lifeline for humanitarian operations,
their closure threatens to plunge Gaza into further despair, potentially
pushing the region to the brink of famine.
UNRWA and other aid agencies are grappling with the
challenge of pre-positioning supplies and establishing aid infrastructure
outside Rafah to mitigate the impending crisis. While efforts are underway to
redistribute existing supplies and assess alternative storage facilities, the
precarious fuel situation poses a significant obstacle, hindering mobility and
essential services.
Despite the mounting challenges, UNRWA remains steadfast in
its commitment to stay and serve the people of Rafah, leveraging its
operational presence in neighboring areas to assist. However, the looming
specter of a full-scale Israeli military operation casts a shadow of
uncertainty over the region, threatening to exacerbate an already dire
humanitarian situation.
As the international community grapples with the unfolding
crisis in Rafah, the imperative to avert a humanitarian catastrophe grows ever
more urgent. With lives hanging in the balance, swift and concerted action is
essential to prevent further escalation and alleviate the suffering of Gaza's
vulnerable population.