Palestinians in Gaza Desperate for Refuge Amid Heavy Bombing

The Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million people, is currently under intense bombardment by Israeli warplanes following an attack by Hamas militants on Israel. Over 180,000 Palestinians in Gaza have sought refuge in United Nations shelters, hoping to escape the violence. However, even these supposed safe zones are not immune, as an airstrike directly hit one of the U.N. shelters, and several schools-turned-shelters were damaged in the attacks.

Amid the chaos, residents like 27-year-old Sabreen al-Attar are desperately trying to protect their families. Al-Attar, along with her children, sought shelter in a U.N. school in Gaza City when the Israeli retaliation began. However, there is no real escape in Gaza, as the entire territory has been under a suffocating blockade for 16 years, imposed by Israel and Egypt. Even U.N. facilities are at risk, leaving civilians with few safe options.

In an attempt to flee the bombings, some Palestinians tried to leave through the Gaza border crossing with Egypt. However, the number of people allowed to travel through this route is limited, leading to backlogs and long waiting times. With no civilian bomb shelters in Gaza, families are forced to roam the streets with their belongings, searching for any safe space.

The toll from the conflict is devastating, with hundreds dead and thousands wounded in Gaza. Israel claims it aims to avoid civilian casualties but often conducts airstrikes in densely populated residential areas. The situation is dire, with civilians facing the constant threat of bombings and struggling to find refuge.