As exodus from Rafah continues, UN urges reopening of aid lines

The United Nations says there is a very bad situation in Gaza as Israeli soldiers are fighting hard and many civilians are leaving their homes. Around 110,000 people have already left the city of Rafah to try to be safe from the bombing. But the UN says there is no safe place in Gaza, and living conditions are terrible. 

No Aid Getting In

The UN cannot get aid like food, water, and medicine into Gaza because the border crossings are closed. A UN official named Hamish Young said if aid does not get in within two days, things will get even worse. Many families are trying to go to the coastal area of Al Mawasi, but the roads are jammed with cars, trucks, and donkey carts full of people’s belongings.

Very Hard for Families

Young said he spoke to families who are tired, scared, and know life in Al Mawasi will be extremely difficult. Families do not have proper bathrooms, drinking water, or shelter. Some are digging holes in the ground to use as toilets. Children are crying and asking for help.

Not Enough Food, Fuel, Medicine

A UN official named Martin Griffiths said for days, nothing has been allowed in or out of Gaza, so aid supplies are stuck. The World Food Programme said their main warehouse in Gaza cannot be reached, and food and fuel will run out in 1-3 days. Hospitals are running out of fuel too, which means machines like ventilators will stop working. Pregnant women may not have a safe place to give birth.

Calls for Peace and Investigation

The UN human rights chief asked all sides to stop fighting so aid can get to the “scared and desperate” people in Gaza. The UN Security Council said they are very worried about reports of mass graves and want investigators to be allowed in to find out what happened. Some experts are also concerned about threats made against the International Criminal Court and its officials for trying to investigate possible crimes.