Earlier today, the United Nations humanitarian office warned that Gaza’s most southern city, Rafah, has become a “pressure cooker of despair.”
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said there has been an increase in the number of internally displaced people seeking refuge in Rafah in recent days and “we fear for what will come next”.
More than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are estimated to have fled to the southern border city where they are sheltering from Israeli bombardment.
Many have fled fighting in the city of Khan Younis, which has been the scene of intense battles between the Israeli military and Hamas in recent weeks.
Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant has suggested the focus of Israel’s military offensive against Hamas could now turn to Rafah (see post at 07.28am).
“We are achieving our missions in Khan Younis, and we will also reach Rafah and eliminate terror elements that threaten us,” Mr Gallant said.
In the images below, children are seen collecting water at a tent camp for internally displaced people near the Rafah border crossing.
Others are seen lining up for free food distribution.
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