Last month, Israel declared it would fully occupy Gaza City and intended to force all Palestinians in the north towards the south. Relentless Israeli attacks since 11 Aug. have forced half of the city’s population out, leaving around half a million remaining as paratroopers backed by tanks push a ground offensive into various neighbourhoods, reported the Middle East Eye.Meanwhile, booby-trapped robots and explosive-packed, remote-controlled vehicles have been used to level the city.
“Every day, the Israeli occupation detonates dozens of explosive-laden vehicles in neighbourhoods that are only around 10 minutes away from where I stay. And I feel them approaching day after day, but where would I go?” said Dima Abuaita, who lives in the central Gaza City neighbourhood of Rimal.
“I have already left my home in the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood and took only a few of my belongings with me. I couldn’t carry more, and it was the harshest situation anyone could go through because you have to choose between what you need to survive and what you want to keep as a memory with you.”
While many Palestinians have not fled Gaza City due to the exorbitant costs and lack of transportation, others refuse to leave their homes, believing they would not be allowed to return.
HalaRohme, a resident of Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood north of Gaza City, says she will be moving from one place to another within her hometown but never to the south.
[Read more on Radiancenews.com]