Gaza’s southernmost city, Rafah, is a “pressure cooker of despair,” the United Nations humanitarian office has warned. 

More than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are estimated to have fled to Rafah 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.

“I want to emphasise our deep concern about the escalation of hostilities in Khan Younis, which has resulted in an increase in the number of internally displaced people seeking refuge in Rafah in recent days,” Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said.

“Thousands of Palestinians have continued to flee to the south, which is already hosting over half the population of some 2.3 million people. 

“Rafah is a pressure cooker of despair, and we fear for what comes next,” he added. 

We reported earlier that Israel’s air and ground offensive could now move to nearby Rafah (see post at 07.28am).

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said in a post on social media that Israeli troops have been successful in their fight against Hamas in Khan Younis.

“We are achieving our missions in Khan Younis, and we will also reach Rafah and eliminate terror elements that threaten us,” Mr Gallant said. 

Pictured above is a tent camp erected in Rafah.