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According to the United Nations, almost half a million Palestinians have fled from Rafah as an Israeli military operation intensifies in the region. 

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) highlighted the severe conditions faced by evacuees, emphasizing the urgency of a ceasefire to alleviate widespread suffering. “People face constant exhaustion, hunger and fear. Nowhere is safe. An immediate #ceasefire is the only hope,” UNRWA conveyed through a post on the social platform X. 

Before the military’s advance, Rafah was already sheltering a million Palestinians. The situation has drastically worsened, with little to no food or supplies entering through the two major southern border crossings over the past week. This blockade has left approximately 1.1 million residents facing extreme hunger, with the United Nations warning of imminent starvation.

UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq expressed grave concerns regarding the safety of civilians and the challenges facing humanitarian efforts. “We remain deeply concerned about the lack of protection for civilians — and the lack of safety for humanitarian operations,” Haq stated. He emphasized the importance of ensuring safety for those who choose to flee, including providing adequate time, safe routes, and secure destinations.