Rami, journalist in Gaza, recounts Rafah’s escape with his entire family

Despite criticism, the Israeli army continues its offensive on Rafah, forcing civilians into a new exodus.

In Rafah, after the advance of Israeli troops, the situation deteriorated significantly. The city is now largely emptied and this new internal exodus has created a situation of chaos. But the advance of Israeli troops also chased away residents who were furthest away at the start of the fighting.

When he posts the videos of the Israeli strikes on Rafah on the evening of Monday May 27, journalist Rami Abu Jamous is in the epicenter. “It started to bomb really hard. We were saying prayers because we thought it was our last night.”he says. Rami has been one of those displaced from Rafah for several months. He was living at a friend’s house with his family when, on Tuesday morning, the tanks came within a few blocks of them. “We opened the door and saw the streams of people leaving. They were almost all on foot, there were a few carts, only one car leaving, and everyone was taking what they could take with them, because they knew we were surrounded by tanks”testifies Rami.

The bags were almost ready, the family then piled in in a car with a tent, mattresses and a gas bottle, head towards the northern road to turn your back on the Israeli armored vehicles. “We zig-zagged to avoid being on the main roads. We ended up blowing when we got out safely, but we continued to hear the bombings left and right,” continues Rami. According to the journalist, the advance of tanks and the deadly bombings on Sunday finished emptying Rafah.

This new transfer of population weighs particularly on the town of Deir El Balah, a little further north. It is not equipped for this, explains Nouredin Al Mansoun, who works with the municipality.

“This creates stress on resources. Lack of water is becoming our new reality and when you walk down the street you see people everywhere. There is not enough room for everyone.”

Nouredin Al Mansoun

at franceinfo

Rami Abu Jamous’ family settled in a tent near the sea, a few kilometers from Rafah. According to him, the bulk of the population is now on the coastal strip. A further reduction in living space. “Before it was an open-air prison, now we are in an open-air cage! It’s a very small space compared to the entire Gaza Strip, but everyone is crowded there,” he said.