Under scorching heat, tens of thousands of Palestinians are fleeing their homes in Rafah, a southern city in the Gaza Strip, as a result of Israeli bombardment and clashes with Hamas militants. The mass exodus has caused severe congestion on roads, with people utilizing various modes of transportation such as donkey carts, bicycles, pickup trucks, and even wheelchairs.

Since receiving warnings from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday about an imminent military operation, more than 150,000 individuals have left Rafah, seeking safety from the airstrikes and intensifying fighting that occurred later in the week. The recent nights were described as the most difficult by Iyad Jarboa, an acting instructor and theatre director who fled with his family to the nearby city of Khan Younis. Jarboa's worry for his family's safety was compounded by the fear of being unable to escape if they waited too long.

The situation in Rafah has become increasingly dire due to multiple military offensives in the area over the years. The city, once home to 300,000 people, has now turned into an overcrowded encampment as a million individuals sought shelter there after fleeing previous fighting or having their homes demolished.

Despite the large numbers of people on the move, there has been no panic, with individuals preparing themselves and packing whatever belongings they have in anticipation of another relocation. However, the constant displacement has taken a toll, and the humanitarian situation remains critical.

Dr. Marwan al-Hams, the head of the health emergency committee in Rafah, reported that in the last 24 hours alone, nine people were killed and ten injured. Adeeb al-Saka, a lecturer at Gaza University, expressed her reasons for leaving Rafah, citing heavy bombardment and a lack of space elsewhere. Saka, along with her four children, is heading towards al-Qarara, an area recently designated as a "humanitarian zone" by the IDF.

The ongoing conflict has led to acute shortages of food and water in Gaza, with aid agencies struggling to provide essential supplies. Recently, more aid has been reaching Gaza through the Rafah border crossing and the Kerem Shalom crossing, easing shortages and bringing down prices for some basic necessities. However, the cost of transportation remains a significant obstacle for many families. The closure of the Rafah crossing has caused prices to rise, with items such as sugar now costing seven to ten times more.

It is estimated that over 34,500 lives, predominantly women and children, have been lost throughout the Israeli offensive, resulting in significant destruction of infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, mosques, and schools. The United Nations has declared a 'full-blown famine' in northern Gaza. Furthermore, the war was ignited by Hamas' attacks on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of hundreds more.

Amidst this dire situation, displaced individuals are seeking refuge wherever they can, including setting up tent camps along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The lack of basic amenities such as clean water, sanitation, and proper shelter poses significant challenges for these families, especially for those with disabilities. Esraa al-Namlla, a wheelchair user who lost both her legs in an airstrike during the conflict, expressed her worries about finding a safe place for her family.

The Israeli authorities have stated that those displaced from Rafah will receive necessary assistance in the designated humanitarian zone, including food, water, shelter, and sanitation. However, aid agencies have highlighted acute overcrowding, limited resources, and inadequate supplies.

As the situation in Rafah worsens, thousands of Palestinians continue to face uncertainty, awaiting their fate amidst the ongoing Israeli offensive.