The Israeli army has intensified its offensive in Zeitoun Area of Gaza City, turning the once populous neighborhood into ruins and forcing families to flee their homes.

The Israeli military began a group operation in Zeitoun on the early morning of May 9, while the Israeli air force continued to launch intense airstrikes in the area, reducing the whole neighborhood into debris. The local residents suffered heavy casualties, with many buried under the rubble, waiting for rescue and medical treatment.

The survivors tried every possible way to escape the war. Many fled their homes and took refuge near the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, the closest hospital to Zeitoun and the only large hospital providing medical services to the public.

However, even there, thick smoke from Israeli airstrikes is still visible, and the sound of gunfire can still be heard.

Some children displaced from Zeitoun shared their heartbreaking stories of loss and grief.

"In Askula Square [in northern Zeitoun], I felt surrounded by Israeli gunfire and bombings, as well as Israeli drones and other dangers. The situation was extremely dangerous there," said Youssef Ankar, a displaced youth from Zeitoun.

"The streets were empty, with only Israeli warplanes and airstrikes," he added.

"I was so scared, because I saw shells falling right in front of us. We saw it with our own eyes. It made us feel suffocated. I felt very sad and lonely," said Rayan Abu Ras, a displaced girl who is now taking shelter near the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital.

"Only the 13 members of my family were still there. Everyone else had already fled. My family hurriedly took me from Zeitoun to an orphanage in the west of Gaza City. From there, we took a detour to the Gaza port and finally arrived here [Ahli Arab Hospital]," she added.
According to the latest satellite images, the number of displaced people in camps in the southern Gaza Strip is rapidly increasing.

Satellite images showed that between April 16 and May 9, the displaced people's camps between Mawasi and Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip have been continuously expanding, with a large number of new tents visible in the images.

SHOTLIST:

Gaza City, Gaza Strip - May 13, 2024
1. Various of smoke rising, pedestrians;
2. Various of damaged buildings, ambulance moving;
3. Various of people crying;
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Youssef Ankar, displaced youth from Zeitoun (ending with shot 5):
"In Askula Square [in northern Zeitoun], I felt surrounded by Israeli gunfire and bombings, as well as Israeli drones and other dangers. The situation was extremely dangerous there."
(Reporter: "What did you see?")
"The streets were empty, with only Israeli warplanes and airstrikes.";
5. Damaged buildings, pedestrians;
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rayan Abu Ras, displaced girl from Zeitoun (partially overlaid with shot 7):
"I was so scared, because I saw shells falling right in front of us. We saw it with our own eyes. It made us feel suffocated. I felt very sad and lonely. Only the 13 members of my family were still there. Everyone else had already fled. My family hurriedly took me from Zeitoun to an orphanage in the west of Gaza City. From there, we took a detour to the Gaza port and finally arrived here [Ahli Arab Hospital].";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
7. Rayan Abu Ras holding blanket, walking;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
8. Rayan Abu Ras holding blanket, walking;
9. Ambulance moving;
10. Damaged building, pedestrians, ambulance;
11. Man carrying injured boy, other people.

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