Israeli Ground Invasion Puts Thousands at Risk in Overcrowded Rafah: Red Crescent

"We heard from one of our colleagues who said, 'living in a tent in such situations is very terrifying. You feel like every bullet is directed to your body.' And that's exactly how he felt," she shared.

“The Israeli intense shelling on Rafah induced fear and confusion among the population, rendering them unable to discern the unfolding events or determine a course of action. The overcrowded nature of Rafah, with almost half of the population present, leaves little room for escape, making any subsequent airstrike or bombardment likely to result in a devastating toll of lives and injuries," Farsakh noted.

“Additionally, approximately 700,000 people in Gaza are now grappling with communicable diseases, including cancer, respiratory infections, and diarrhea. This health crisis is a consequence of overcrowded conditions, insufficient access to food and clean water, and a lack of medical care”, said Farsakh.

“If the ground invasion prevails, it inevitably implies that thousands of individuals will face the risk of being killed or injured. This dire prediction is grounded in the current state of overcrowding in Rafah,” she said.

Farsakh pointed out that “airstrikes were so relentless that our teams, and even the ambulances, were hindered from reaching and transporting the injured due to the overwhelming challenges. Creating a humanitarian corridor for UN agencies or our response teams to access and attend to injuries has been an unmet need. Our work unfolds in perilous conditions, with the lives of our paramedics constantly at risk. Tragically, we've lost 14 Palestine Red Crescent members during humanitarian missions aimed at saving lives."

Faraskh highlighted that “90% of Gaza's residents were displaced due to ongoing bombardment. Since the commencement of the conflict, civilians have borne the brunt of this ongoing war, paying a steep price as evidenced by the staggering figures. Nearly 70% of the victims are children and women”.