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8th May 2024 By The Global Heroes Conflict

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.

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