Hundreds of thousands of residents in Gaza have sought refuge in neighboring areas as Israeli forces have intensified their military operations within the city of Rafah, declaring the establishment of a new "security zone".

This escalation comes amidst one of the largest mass displacements observed during the ongoing conflict.

On Thursday, Israeli troops commenced an offensive into Rafah, located at the southern edge of Gaza, which had been a refuge for many displaced individuals throughout the conflict.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported a rising toll of casualties, stating that at least 97 individuals were killed in airstrikes within a 24-hour period, with 20 fatalities resulting from a targeted strike in the Shejaia suburb of Gaza City.

Later that day, an Israeli airstrike reportedly killed at least 27 Palestinians, including women and children, within a school that had been serving as a shelter for displaced families in Gaza City.

According to local health authorities, the strike hit the Dar Al-Arqam school building in the Tuffah neighborhood.

The Israeli military, in response, claimed that the attack targeted a group of key Palestinian militants suspected of planning assaults on Israeli positions.

Eyewitness accounts from Rafah describe the devastation, with one resident indicating that the area is being extensively destroyed, noting that the ongoing strikes are obliterating remaining structures.

The assault on Rafah represents a significant intensification of hostilities that resumed after a ceasefire effectively collapsed last month.

Reports indicate a mass exodus of residents, as Israeli forces have ordered evacuations from certain districts, including Shejaia.

Many people have fled carrying the few possessions they could salvage or using carts and vehicles to escape.

Emotional distress among the population is palpable, with individuals expressing despair over their precarious situation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli troops are targeting an area referred to as the “Morag Axis,” which is adjacent to Rafah and Khan Younis; both regions are experiencing escalating violence.

Gazans who had briefly returned during a past ceasefire are now facing further displacement orders, stoking fears of permanent homelessness as Israel implements its military objectives.

The conditions for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have worsened significantly since the breakdown of the ceasefire in March, leading to what international organizations have deemed a humanitarian catastrophe characterized by a comprehensive blockade.

Additionally, the Israeli military announced an investigation into the deaths of 15 Palestinian aid workers found in a shallow grave, saying that the deaths stemmed from a mistaken attack on vehicles they believed carried fighters.

The conflict, which saw its resurgence following an initial attack on Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths based on health authority reports.

While Israeli leaders report instances of public dissent in Gaza against Hamas, the militant group continues to maintain control and has yet to yield to demands for hostage negotiations, indicating that talks to establish a prolonged ceasefire remain unresolved.

Residents of Rafah have largely complied with evacuation orders in light of increasing airstrikes; however, movement has been severely restricted due to ongoing attacks on key transport routes, creating a further layer of complexity in the humanitarian situation.

Amidst the chaos, some individuals have chosen to remain, citing exhaustion from repeated displacements and uncertainty over their safety.