GAZA, Tuesday, May 14, 2024 (WAFA) - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) estimated that nearly 450,000 people have been forcibly displaced from the city of Rafah since 6 May, following Israeli military orders to leave the city.

UNRWA spokeswoman, Louise Wateridge, said in a post on X: “This morning in western Rafah, families have moved as far west as possible, now reaching the shore and along the beach.” Today they were awakened by [Israeli] navy shelling, she added.

“Inland in Rafah is now a ghost town. It’s hard to believe that there were over 1 million people sheltering here just a week ago,” she said.

UNRWA on its X account reported: “Empty streets in Rafah as families continue to flee in search of safety.”

“People face constant exhaustion, hunger and fear. Nowhere is safe. An immediate ceasefire is the only hope,” added UNRWA.

“Families keep fleeing where they can - including to rubble and sand dunes - in search of safety. But there’s no such thing in Gaza.”

UNRWA said that the infrastructure in Khan Yunis is completely destroyed. “There are no water, electricity nor sewage services.”

“Displaced people fleeing Rafah are moving back to destroyed areas that are in no way fit for them to live in. Nowhere is safe in Gaza.”

T.R.