'No place is safe': 800,000 'forced to flee' Rafah in May, says Unrwa
The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said Saturday that 800,000 people had been "forced to flee" Gaza's far-southern city of Rafah since Israel intensified bombing there this month.
"Nearly half of the population of Rafah or 800,000 people are on the road having been forced to flee since the Israeli forces started the military operation in the area on 6 May", Unrwa chief Philippe Lazzarini said in a post on social media site X.
"Every time, they are forced to leave behind the few belongings they have: mattresses, tents, cooking utensils and basic supplies that they cannot carry or pay to transport. Every time, they have to start from scratch, all over again," he continued in a lengthy thread.
"The claim that people in Gaza can move to 'safe' or 'humanitarian' zones is false. Each time, it puts the lives of civilians at serious risk. Gaza does not have any safe zones.
No place is safe.
No one is safe."
Once again, nearly half of the population of Rafah or 800,000 people are on the road, having been forced to flee since the Israeli Forces started the military operation in the area on 6 May.
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) May 18, 2024
In response to evacuation orders demanding people to flee to so-called safe zones,…