Displacement Under Fire: Israel Attacks, Besieges Fleeing Palestinians in Gaza’s Rafah
Gaza (Quds News Network)- Palestinian civilians fleeing a Rafah neighborhood in southern Gaza, following a forced displacement threat from the Israeli military on Sunday morning, have been attacked and besieged by Israeli forces.
The Israeli military issued a forced displacement threat for Tal al-Sultan neighborhood Gaza, ordering them to flee immediately on foot toward the al-Mawasi area in the south of the enclave.
The military said Tal al-Sultan is “considered a dangerous combat zone” and that “movement in vehicles is prohibited”.
Amid unbearable humanitarian conditions, people of Rafah are fleeing their homes following threats of bombing by the Israeli occupation forces. pic.twitter.com/sDA7qj3KfP
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 23, 2025
Men, women, children and elders can bee seen walking along a dirt road and carrying their belongings in their arms.
The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said it lost contact with a team of medics who were responding to strikes in Rafah. Spokeswoman Nebal Farsakh said the last communication was at 7:15 a.m. and that some of the medics were wounded.
Gaza’s Civil Defense also said there is an “imminent threat to the lives of over 50,000 citizens” in an area in the Tal al-Sultan, “who are now trapped by the occupation forces.”
“It’s displacement under fire,” said Mustafa Gaber, a local journalist who left Tal al-Sultan with his family. He said hundreds of people are fleeing as Israeli tank and drone fire echoes nearby. “There are wounded people among us. The situation is very difficult.”
Israeli army tanks fire at innocent civilians who were just ordered to leave their homes in Rafah and head north to Al-Mawasi area. pic.twitter.com/G8lWrR3ZMg
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 23, 2025
Mohammed Abu Taha, another resident who fled, said many people were unable to evacuate because of the surprise incursion overnight. He said his sister and her family were sheltering in a school in an area of Rafah surrounded by Israeli forces.
Hundreds of people, including children, the elderly, women, and men, have been forced by the Israeli army to abruptly leave their homes in Rafah, southern Gaza, and flee to the Al-Mawasi area in the north. pic.twitter.com/qaNvXxd5qv
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 23, 2025
“Now we are fleeing under fire for maybe the 10th time. When will we ever rest? When will there ever be peace in this city?” said Abu Khaled, a Rafah resident in Gaza’s south.
Hours after issuing the displacement threat, the Israeli military said the forces have surrounded and besieged the Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood.
In a statement, the military claimed it’s rooting out Hamas military infrastructure, pursuing fighters, and expanding its “security zone” in southern Gaza. However, it alleged it would still allow people to evacuate via “organised routes”.
