For over 60 days, Palestinians in Gaza have been enduring violence and displacement, with no end in sight. Thousands of weary and heartbroken individuals have been forced to leave their homes, seeking safety in various locations, only to be displaced once again. The situation has torn Gaza apart, leaving many praying for an end to their suffering.
In the al-Fukhari area, south of the city of Khan Younis, the European Hospital and schools are overwhelmed with thousands of displaced people from Khan Younis and other areas. These individuals have been instructed by the Israeli army to move south in search of so-called “safe zones,” only to find that these areas are still targeted by bombings. The dire situation has left Dr. Youssef Al-Akkad, director of the European Hospital, and his team unable to provide adequate aid to the sheer number of people seeking help.
The displaced individuals in and around the European Hospital have been forced to camp in the streets due to overcrowding. Each person has a story of suffering and hopes that al-Fukhari will finally offer some safety. However, many have lost faith in the idea of a true safe area. Rula Musmah, a mother of three, shares her experience: “We’ve been displaced four times until we got to the European Hospital, where there wasn’t even a single spot for us. I looked for a cafe where me and my daughters can sleep at night, and during the day, we just sit in the street.”
Musmah and her daughters left Gaza City on October 14, following the army’s instructions to evacuate. They left behind their beautiful house in the industrial area out of fear for their safety. After staying with friends in the Deir el-Balah camp for over a month, they had to search for another safe place due to overcrowding and intensified bombings. However, the constant threat of Israeli operations moving to Khan Younis has left them in a state of constant fear.
The lack of available options has led hundreds of displaced people to set up tents on an empty lot near the European Hospital, despite the area being hit by Israeli attacks. Salem Awaida, who had been taking care of displaced people in his own home, found himself forced to leave Khan Younis with his family of 10 and seek shelter in al-Fukhari. He shares his experience: “It wasn’t safe at all. It was a really rough night I went through at the European Hospital with bombing until the late hours and me sitting in the hospital garden. There was no space for me inside. Eventually, I went out to walk a little, trying to breathe, to think, and I found people setting up here in this empty lot, so I put up a tent for me and my family.”
Al-Fukhari is ill-equipped to handle such a large number of displaced people. The area lacks supplies and water, as it relied on Khan Younis for resources, which is currently cut off due to Israeli incursions. This has created a fear among the displaced individuals, as they worry about the spread of disease due to the lack of water and hygiene. Limited supplies from UNRWA aid are their only source of sustenance, leaving many concerned about an impending famine.
The ongoing violence and displacement in Gaza highlight the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict. The plight of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire cannot be ignored. As the world focuses on various political dynamics and global events, it is crucial to remember the human cost of such conflicts and work towards a peaceful and sustainable solution.
