Escaping the Unforeseen: Stories of Palestinians fleeing Rafah in Fear and Despair

Palestinian civilians in eastern Rafah were instructed by the Israeli military to evacuate due to airstrikes hitting Gaza’s southernmost city. Residents expressed their fear and despair at being forced to leave their homes and shelters.

One resident, Mohammed Ghanem, shared his experience with a CNN stringer in the area. He explained, “We left because they distributed leaflets. (They) are striking everywhere without differentiating between children, adults, militants, or non-militants. I left my house that I have been building for 17 years.”

Ghanem and his wife were pushing strollers filled with their belongings. They no longer have a home and are going to Mawasi because they don't feel safe with the Israelis, who they believe are harming innocent women and children.

A woman from eastern Rafah mentioned that they received messages from the Israelis telling them to evacuate. She expressed that they have no choice but to leave.

Earlier on Monday, the Israeli military urged around 100,000 Palestinians in eastern Rafah to evacuate quickly. They were instructed to relocate to Al-Mawasi, a coastal town near Khan Younis, despite concerns from aid organizations about its suitability for living.

In a statement, the office of Israel's prime minister announced that the country's war cabinet had unanimously agreed to proceed with the Rafah operation. Their goal is to apply military force on Hamas.

Displaced Palestinians fleeing Rafah after the Israeli military told civilians to leave the eastern parts of the southern Gazan city, May 6, 2024.

Displaced Palestinians fleeing Rafah after the Israeli military told civilians to leave the eastern parts of the southern Gazan city, May 6, 2024.

A CNN reporter in Rafah's east reported that the people were very scared and panicking after the announcement. This led to a wave of pleas from world leaders, the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations, all urging Israel to hold off on their planned attack on the city. This came as ceasefire talks and negotiations with the militant group were not successful.

United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk criticized the move as "inhumane", while the Norwegian Refugee Council described it as "beyond alarming".

The Israel Defense Forces announced on Monday that they are carrying out targeted strikes against Hamas terror targets in eastern Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip.

Video and photos taken in eastern Rafah captured the sight of trucks carrying people's belongings through the crowded streets as Monday progressed. Among the belongings were children, sitting amidst fuel tanks and plastic bags filled with possessions. Families could be seen leaving with mattresses tied to the roofs of their cars.

Faisal Barbakh, who escaped on his bicycle, expressed that he is leaving behind a lifetime of memories.

"I am embarking on a journey into the unknown, and it fills me with sorrow. I can't help but wish that those responsible for our current situation were here with us," he expressed.

"I am carrying everything I hold dear with me. My family is scattered across seven different places. I feel like this is the end. My mind is clouded with thoughts. I have left behind 59 years of life, all my cherished memories, photos of my children, the deed to my house. Only God knows the amount of effort I have poured into all of it. This is not just my sentiment, it is shared by everyone," he lamented.

Many residents of eastern Rafah have been forced to move multiple times due to Israel shifting its focus from one city to another.

"This is the fourth time I've had to move. I was first displaced from Nuseirat to Khan Younis, then to Rafah, and now I have to move again. I have no idea where I'm going next," shared one man with CNN.

The current war began on October 7 when Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 people in southern Israel and took more than 200 people hostage.

A displaced Palestinian, who fled Rafah after the Israeli military ordered the evacuation of civilians, sits on a vehicle, in Khan Younis in southern Gaza on May 6, 2024.

A displaced Palestinian, who fled Rafah after the Israeli military ordered the evacuation of civilians, sits on a vehicle, in Khan Younis in southern Gaza on May 6, 2024.

Ramadan Abed

In the nearly seven months since, over 34,600 people have been killed in Israel's military bombardment of Gaza, as reported by the Gaza health ministry. More than 1 million Palestinians have been forced to seek refuge in Rafah, a city where Medicines San Frontieres stated that the "necessary conditions for survival" are lacking.

The situation in Rafah has worsened in recent months due to Israeli airstrikes, impacting the lives of those residing and seeking shelter in the city, including approximately 600,000 children. Malnutrition is becoming more widespread, and medical facilities are unable to operate effectively due to the siege imposed by Israeli authorities, according to MSF.

UNICEF stated that Rafah in Gaza is now a city filled with children who have no safe place to go. An Israeli ground incursion would bring catastrophic risks to the already vulnerable population, including the injured, sick, malnourished, and traumatized individuals.

On Monday, two boys named Malek and Yousef were seen leaving Rafah on bicycles, holding onto their bags tightly.

"We're escaping from the Israelis who told us to leave the eastern area. I packed some clothes and food in my bag. We're heading to our grandparents' house," one person stated.

The Israeli military instructed everyone to go to Al-Mawasi, a small coastal area that Israel has marked as a special humanitarian zone.

In Al-Mawasi, which was already filled with displaced individuals, some of the recent arrivals seemed lost and bewildered. The streets were bustling with trucks and donkey carts, with large piles of trash scattered around.

“I came here from Rafah and couldn’t find anywhere to settle. People are saying we should go. I honestly don’t know where to turn. Leaflets were handed out, causing panic and making people scatter,” shared Mohammad Abu Khamash.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has cautioned that Al-Mawasi is not a suitable place to live.

Scott Anderson, Director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza, explained to CNN that the area is not ideal for setting up tents and meeting daily needs.

Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, expressed concern about the evacuation order in a statement. He mentioned that Al-Mawasi is already overcrowded and lacks essential services.

According to Egeland, Al-Mawasi cannot accommodate the current influx of refugees from Rafah. He raised issues about the safety, housing conditions, and return options for those being relocated during the conflict.

Many people who left on Monday expressed feeling unsafe for themselves and their families.

Ahmad Safi, who fled Rafah for Khan Younis with his family, shared that they had to endure airstrikes that endangered their lives. They left in search of a safer and more dignified life to live with their loved ones.

Safi said that he searched for water every day.

TOPSHOT - Palestinians celebrate in a street in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, after Hamas announced it has accepted a truce proposal on May 6, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on May 6, informed mediators Qatar and Egypt that his Palestinian militant group had accepted their proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza after nearly seven months of war. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Palestinians in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, were seen celebrating in the streets after Hamas announced its acceptance of a truce proposal on May 6, 2024. The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas has been a source of tension. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh conveyed to mediators from Qatar and Egypt that his group agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza after almost seven months of warfare. The photo of the celebration was captured by AFP/Getty Images.

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When I arrived in Khan Younis, I was overwhelmed by the lack of life and happiness in the city. It used to be vibrant, but now it feels unsuitable for living. My family of eight traveled here on a cart from Rafah, and I still can't believe we left our home behind.

The lack of safety is a constant worry. The Israelis have the ability to enter any area at any time, leaving us feeling vulnerable and anxious.

In the latest news, there were new airstrikes on Rafah as people fled the city. According to a statement from the Palestinian Civil Defense, multiple Palestinians lost their lives and others were injured during the attacks on Tuesday evening.

At least 26 people were killed in Rafah due to strikes that occurred late Sunday night and early Monday morning, as reported by the civil defense.

One Rafah resident, Abu Salah, mentioned that he had to evacuate the city because of intense Israeli shelling.

"He said safety is being at home, not constantly displaced like a cat searching for water and food for its kittens. A woman named Maha mentioned that Palestinian civilians are vulnerable to the actions of the Israeli military."

"They can order you to go to one place and harm you there, or they can send you elsewhere to harm you there. Their intentions are not for our safety," she expressed.

"The key is to address the root of the issue, not just to end the conflict, but to establish a Palestinian state," she concluded.

CNN’s Eve Brennan, Mia Alberti, Magdi Abdelhadi, Richard Roth, Sarah El Sirgany, Jomana Karadsheh contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The article paints a harrowing picture of the human toll of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Palestinian civilians are being forced to evacuate their homes due to airstrikes, leaving them feeling scared, desperate, and uncertain about their future. The Israeli military claims that these strikes are necessary to target Hamas militants, but the civilians caught in the crossfire are paying a heavy price.

The article also highlights the challenges facing aid organizations trying to provide assistance to the displaced Palestinians. Al-Mawasi, the area where the Israeli military has instructed civilians to evacuate to, is overcrowded and lacks basic services. This raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of the people who have been forced to flee their homes. The international community must take action to ensure that the humanitarian needs of these vulnerable people are met and that they are protected from further harm.