Humanitarian aid workers are refusing to abandon the 100,000 Palestinians ordered to evacuate ahead of a planned ground invasion of Rafah in Gaza. The evacuation order has been issued by Israel, which has already killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in the enclave. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has stated that they will not abandon the people of Gaza and will continue to provide aid.
Israel has ordered Palestinians in Rafah to move to al-Mawasi and Khan Younis, claiming that aid services will be provided in these “safe zones.” However, past experiences have shown that these areas may not be safe for civilians seeking refuge. Khan Younis was previously destroyed by Israeli forces, and Al-Mawasi, a Bedouin town west of Rafah, is already struggling to support its current population of 400,000 people.
Israel’s military actions have made it impossible for Gaza’s health care workers to treat Palestinians. Hospitals and clinics have been raided and destroyed, leaving patients with pre-existing conditions untreated. Pregnant women and new mothers are at risk due to the bombardments and lack of necessary medication. The impending invasion of Rafah could endanger the lives of thousands of pregnant women.
Children in Rafah are particularly vulnerable, with about half of the city’s population being children who have been repeatedly displaced during the military campaign. UNICEF has warned that the siege on Rafah would pose catastrophic risks to the 600,000 children in the city, many of whom are highly vulnerable and at the edge of survival. Without adequate food, water, and medicine, children in Gaza are suffering the most from Israel’s military actions.
Despite criticism from humanitarian groups and allies, including the U.S., Israel is moving forward with its plan to invade Rafah. Hamas leaders have accepted a cease-fire proposal, leaving it up to Israel to decide whether to agree to the deal to end the violence and free remaining hostages. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with aid workers, health care workers, and children facing an uncertain future amid the ongoing conflict. Efforts to provide support and aid to the people of Gaza continue, despite the challenges posed by the imminent invasion of Rafah.
