Gaza Exodus Intensifies: Thousands Flee as Israeli Offensive Deepens
Gaza Exodus Intensifies: Thousands Flee as Israeli Offensive Deepens
Thousands of Palestinians are continuing their desperate flight from Gaza City as Israel’s major ground offensive, aimed at occupying the area, enters its second day. The escalating conflict has seen significant bombardment overnight, with Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reporting al-Rantisi children’s hospital was targeted in three separate Israeli attacks, forcing half of its young patients and their families to evacuate. The Israeli military stated it is investigating these reports. Other medical facilities have confirmed at least 35 deaths from Israeli fire across Gaza so far on Wednesday, predominantly in the northern region.
The Israeli military announced it had struck over 150 targets in Gaza City over two days, supporting its ground forces. Israel’s stated objectives are to free hostages and neutralize an estimated 3,000 Hamas fighters in what it terms the group’s ‘last stronghold’. However, the offensive has drawn widespread international condemnation, with leaders from over 20 major aid agencies, including Save the Children and Oxfam, issuing a stark warning about the ‘unconscionable inhumanity’ in Gaza and calling for ‘urgent intervention’ ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly.
A source at al-Rantisi hospital confirmed no injuries but noted severe damage to air conditioning units, water tanks, and solar panels. Fikr Shalltoot, Gaza director for Medical Aid for Palestinians, highlighted the hospital’s critical role as ‘the only specialist facility for children with cancer, kidney failure, and other life-threatening conditions’.
For days, as Israeli strikes intensified around Gaza City, huge columns of Palestinians have been streaming southwards, utilizing donkey carts, rickshaws, vehicles laden with belongings, and traveling on foot. Initially, they were directed down the main coastal road to an Israel-designated ‘humanitarian area’ in al-Mawasi. On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a temporary opening of a second evacuation route, the central Salah al-Din road, for 48 hours starting 12:00 local time (10:00 BST).
Many Palestinians face immense challenges in relocating south due to prohibitive costs. Renting a small truck can cost up to £660 ($900), while a tent for five people may sell for approximately £880 ($1200). Lina al-Maghrebi, a 32-year-old mother of three from Sheikh Radwan, recounted selling her jewelry to cover displacement costs and a tent, paying £770 for a 10-hour journey to Khan Younis amidst endless lines of vehicles. Aid organizations and UN agencies express grave concerns that the designated ‘humanitarian area’ is already severely overcrowded and insufficient to support the estimated two million Palestinians expected to converge there.
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