The UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (Unrwa) warned that along with the extreme conditions of overcrowding, deprivation and precariousness, Gazans in that governorate also endure temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius this season.
Most families in Rafah do not even have tents, and many live under sheets of waste plastic, doing everything they can to survive, the organization said in a recent report.
Many displaced people have access to less than a liter of water a day for drinking, washing and bathing, even though experts consider a minimum of 15 liters essential for daily life.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) described the situation for civilians as terrible, while reports from the ground warn of intense attacks against Rafah, along with dozens of fatalities.
Residents face challenges in accessing basic services such as healthcare, clean water and sanitation facilities, amid a notable increase in deaths and heightened anxiety over an imminent large-scale Israeli ground operation, OCHA said.
According to United Nations figures, at least 17,000 children have lost their families or been separated since the start of the Israeli offensive more than six months ago.
Most of the minors were also left homeless, as a result of the destruction or damage to more than 70 percent of the houses in the enclave.
According to UNRWA, the youngest pay the highest price of war, so their future needs protection.
Schools, the Agency added, have become refuges for survival and education has been suspended.
Gazans live in constant fear of what could happen at any moment, which demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, he stressed.
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