In a move that could deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, the Israeli army has shut down the Al-Rasheed coastal road – the only highway linking the south with northern Gaza 😔🚧. Starting at noon on Wednesday, only southbound traffic is allowed, effectively blocking displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes in the north.
According to Israel Defence Forces spokesman Avichai Adraee on X, this decision aims to control movement amid the intensified ground offensive in Gaza City. Since the conflict reignited in October 2023, northern Gaza has been largely isolated, with aid convoys struggling to reach those in need.
Last January’s fragile ceasefire saw Al-Rasheed briefly reopen, offering a glimmer of hope for many families who had fled south. But now, as tanks advance into multiple neighbourhoods in what the army calls the heaviest fighting to date, that lifeline is cut once again.
The United Nations estimates that 1.9 million of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced at least once since the conflict began. Humanitarian agencies warn the latest road closure will not only heighten isolation for northern Gaza but also slow down vital aid deliveries – from water and food to medical kits 🚑🆘.
For young people across South and Southeast Asia who follow this story on their phones, the situation on the ground is a stark reminder of how quickly a roadblock can turn into a humanitarian bottleneck. As calls for ceasefires echo online, the focus now shifts to whether international pressure can reopen Al-Rasheed and restore a corridor of relief.
Reference(s):
Israel shuts return route for displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza
cgtn.com
