The UN humanitarian office has said in a report that most of the homeless people in Rafah, about 13 kilometres south of Khan Younis, were sleeping rough due to a lack of tents although the UN had managed to distribute a few hundred.

According to Reuters, the UN report said that while some aid had entered Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah crossing, the surge in hostilities since a week-long truce collapsed on Dec 1 was hampering distribution.

Displaced civilians were also fleeing to the desolate area of Al Mawasi on Gaza’s southern Mediterranean coast, which Israel has said is safe. The former Bedouin village lacks shelter, food and other necessities, according to refugee organisations.