May 7th 2024.
As the news of a potential ceasefire broke last night, the people of Gaza were filled with excitement. Fireworks lit up the sky and the sound of cheering could be heard throughout the city. Shaina Low, a member of the Norwegian Refugee Council, described the scene, saying, "People were really excited. They were overjoyed at the thought of being reunited with their families, whom they have been separated from for months."
However, this moment of hope was short-lived as within 45 minutes, the Israeli bombardment of Rafah reached its peak. The sound of artillery shook buildings as Israel launched a military operation in the city, as they had been threatening to do for weeks. The following day, Israeli tanks rolled in and destroyed an "I love Gaza" sign, as well as capturing the Rafah crossing to Egypt, which has been a crucial lifeline for the people of Gaza.
Shaina Low, who lives in Jerusalem, shared the devastating impact of the invasion on the civilians of Rafah. She said, "People's hopes were crushed. They were crying, unsure of what to do or where to go. Everyone is at a loss." The Israeli government has ordered the evacuation of 100,000 people from parts of Rafah, adding to the already one million displaced people in the city.
The situation in Rafah is dire, with over 35,000 people having lost their lives since the beginning of the conflict. Just last month, Israel had withdrawn most of its troops from southern Gaza, giving a glimmer of hope for peace. But now, the civilians of Rafah are once again faced with the possibility of fleeing from the path of the Israeli Defense Forces, who have been destroying homes, hospitals, schools, and even agricultural land.
The international humanitarian organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, has expressed their concern for the situation in Rafah. They stated, "The offensive on Rafah will be catastrophic. The people there have been enduring dire conditions with limited access to food, water, and medical care, and with nowhere safe to seek refuge." The town of Al-Mawasi, where many are fleeing on the coast west of Rafah, is already overcrowded and has been a target for Israeli strikes in the past.
As the conflict continues, the refugees of Rafah have been forced to live in cramped conditions, relying on donated tents, mattresses, and pillows for some semblance of a quality life. These are not easily packed belongings and require trucks, cars, or donkey carts to transport. However, with the slow down of goods entering Gaza since October 7, the flow of aid has also been affected, making it difficult for these refugees to survive.
The situation is made worse by the recent capture of the Rafah crossing by Israel, which is the only route connecting Gaza to Egypt. This means that the flow of goods into Gaza has practically stopped, leaving the civilians with limited access to essential supplies. Shaina Low shares updates from the NRC's 45 aid workers in Gaza, many of whom are also struggling to survive in the midst of the conflict.
She mentions one aid worker who lost 10 members of their family, including their only child, after fleeing to the south. The NRC was able to deliver 16 trucks filled with essential supplies like tents, repair kits, bedding, and hygiene kits, but this will only last for a week. Shaina Low warns, "Things could really come to a standstill in Gaza in the next 24 or 48 hours. We need trucks with fuel to be able to move goods and keep essential facilities, such as hospitals and water pumps, running."
She stresses the urgent need for a ceasefire, saying, "We need a ceasefire, and we need it now. It's the only way we can end the suffering, or at least stop the hemorrhage." While a ceasefire seems more attainable now than it has in the past few weeks, it still feels out of reach. The people of Gaza continue to suffer as the conflict rages on, and the need for immediate action is crucial. Follow us to stay updated on the latest developments in this ongoing crisis on Metro News, and join our community on WhatsApp for breaking news and juicy stories.
Last night, the streets of Gaza were filled with the sounds of fireworks and cheers as news broke of a potential ceasefire. The excitement was palpable, as people eagerly awaited a reunion with their families who had been separated for months. Shaina Low, a member of the Norwegian Refugee Council, described the scene to The Agency, saying, "People were really excited. They were excited to finally see their loved ones again."
However, within just 45 minutes, the situation took a turn for the worse. Israel's bombardment of Rafah escalated to intense levels, causing buildings to shake and people to fear for their lives. This invasion had been threatened for weeks, and now it was becoming a reality. As tanks rolled in and an "I love Gaza" sign was destroyed, the Rafah crossing to Egypt was captured, cutting off a vital lifeline for the people of Gaza.
The devastation and despair were felt by all, including Low who lives in Jerusalem. She said, "People's hopes were crushed. People were crying, unsure of what to do or where to go. Everyone was at a loss." Israel had ordered the evacuation of 100,000 people from Rafah, adding to the already staggering number of over one million displaced people in the city.
The situation in Rafah had been dire for months, with people fleeing to the south as Israeli forces made their way through the north. The toll of this conflict was evident, with over 35,000 people losing their lives since the Israeli military operations began in response to Hamas's October 7 massacre. And just last month, Israel had withdrawn most of its troops from southern Gaza, giving some hope for a peaceful resolution. But now, Palestinian civilians were once again faced with the harsh reality of fleeing from the Israeli Defense Forces, who had destroyed homes, hospitals, schools, and even agricultural land.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza was further exacerbated by the recent offensive on Rafah. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) had to close nine healthcare facilities in the area due to the violence, leaving people with limited access to medical care and nowhere safe to go. MSF released a statement saying, "The offensive on Rafah will be catastrophic. People have been forced to endure dire conditions, with limited food and water, and bombings happening regularly."
As people tried to find refuge in the overcrowded town of Al-Mawasi, they were met with more danger as Israel struck these so-called "safe zones" with drones and missiles. Over the months of conflict, refugees had accumulated makeshift shelters with tents, mattresses, and pillows to try and make a life for themselves. But these were not easily packed up and moved, requiring trucks, cars, and donkey carts.
The situation in Gaza was dire, and the need for aid was urgent. The Metro news site was providing updates on the ongoing crisis and had recently started a community on Whatsapp for breaking news and stories. However, even the delivery of essential supplies, such as tents, repair kits, and hygiene kits, was not enough to sustain the people of Gaza for long. Low, who regularly receives updates from the NRC's aid workers in Gaza, said that the 16 trucks that arrived on Saturday would only last for a week.
The flow of goods into Gaza had slowed since October 7, and now, with Israel capturing the Rafah crossing, it had practically stopped. Palestinians were being told to evacuate from an increasingly larger area of Gaza, leaving them with nowhere to go. Low shared the stories of the NRC's aid workers, many of whom were also affected by the conflict, saying, "One lost 10 members of their family, including their only child, after fleeing to the south."
The NRC was doing everything they could to provide aid to those in need, but with limited resources and a dire situation, it was becoming increasingly difficult. Low stressed the urgency of the situation, saying, "We need a ceasefire, and we need it now. That's the only way we're going to be able to end the suffering or at least stop the hemorrhage." Although a ceasefire seemed more possible than ever before, it still seemed out of reach. The people of Gaza could only hope for a resolution to this ongoing conflict that had brought so much devastation and suffering.
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