The relentless Israeli airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip have forced thousands of terrified residents to flee their homes, seeking refuge in makeshift shelters as the conflict escalates. In a span of just two days, the toll has been devastating, with approximately 600 lives lost in Israel and at least 370 in Gaza, as reported by officials on both sides.
Among those seeking safety in the midst of the chaos is Mahmud al-Sarsawi, a 68-year-old man from the Shujaiyya neighborhood, who lay in a school-turned-bomb shelter, surrounded by his grandchildren, hooked up to an oxygen tube. Speaking from the shelter, he shared, “We all came here to escape the Israeli airstrikes. The situation was terrifying, and we had no choice but to seek refuge.” His primary concern is the dwindling oxygen supply, which underscores the dire humanitarian situation faced by many in Gaza.
In response to the escalating crisis, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) has opened up 44 of its schools to serve as shelters for those displaced by the conflict. More than 20,000 people in the Palestinian territory have been uprooted from their homes as a result of the fighting, according to UNRWA. The violence escalated after Hamas militants launched thousands of rockets and initiated a series of devastating attacks on southern Israeli towns, prompting swift retaliation from Israeli forces.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning to the people of Gaza, urging them to evacuate certain areas, citing impending military action. Netanyahu stated, “I’m telling the people of Gaza: get out of there now, because we’re about to act everywhere with all our force,” emphasizing that Hamas hideouts in Gaza would be targeted.
The densely-populated Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million people, finds itself caught in the crossfire of this deadly conflict, further exacerbating the already challenging living conditions faced by its residents. As the violence continues to escalate, the international community closely monitors the situation, with growing concern over the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, shelter, and access to essential supplies for the displaced population in Gaza.
