Escalation of Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza As Israeli Forces Focus on Rafah Border

In the midst of the ongoing conflict, over 50% of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants find themselves without homes, with a significant number seeking shelter in Rafah along the Egyptian border. According to UNICEF statistics, up to 17,000 children have become separated from their families amidst the war.

Image - Amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, smoke rises from an Israeli ground operation in Khan Younis, viewed from a Rafah tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip on January 31, 2024. Credit - Reuters

Israeli forces escalated their offensive on the outskirts of Rafah, the final sanctuary in the southern Gaza Strip, creating dire conditions for hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals stranded along the border fence.

Concurrently, the United States initiated retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria in response to a drone attack in Jordan that claimed the lives of three U.S. troops. The mounting tensions are amplifying concerns regarding the worsening situation in the Middle East.

In the midst of the conflict, over half of Gaza's 2.3 million residents are now without homes, with many seeking refuge in Rafah along the Egyptian border. UNICEF estimates that 17,000 children in Gaza are either unaccompanied or have been separated from their families during the ongoing conflict. The recent Israeli assault on Khan Younis has further intensified the crisis, leading to a significant influx of displaced individuals into Rafah.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has declared intentions to "eliminate terror elements" in Rafah, marking one of the final areas yet to be seized in the prolonged assault. With access to scarce food and medical aid, Rafah and nearby areas of Khan Younis have turned into makeshift tent settlements, exacerbating the already severe conditions for those affected.

The United Nations has expressed serious concerns, with Jens Laerke stating that Rafah has become a "pressure cooker of despair." The situation is critical, with challenges preventing rescuers from reaching the sick and wounded in Khan Younis, and the possibility of combat reaching Rafah is nearly unimaginable.

The ongoing Gaza war, triggered by Hamas militants breaching the border fence into Israel, has resulted in a significant loss of lives and extensive destruction. Mediators await a response from Hamas on a proposal for the war's first extended ceasefire, but obstacles persist in reaching a comprehensive agreement.

As the humanitarian crisis intensifies, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is embarking on a diplomatic mission to the region, aiming to broker a humanitarian pause and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. envoy to the United Nations, expressed concerns that an Algerian draft Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire could jeopardize "sensitive negotiations" for a pause in fighting.

In addition, Washington has stated that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will work for a humanitarian pause and the release of hostages still held by Hamas during his upcoming trip to Israel, the West Bank, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar.

U.S. officials have indicated that the response against Iran-backed militias will involve strikes over multiple days. Tehran has asserted that it will respond if its territory or interests are targeted.

On a separate front, the Israeli military reported intercepting a missile heading for Israel in the Red Sea area. Yemen's Houthis, allied with Iran, confirmed firing ballistic missiles towards the Israeli port and resort city of Eilat.