‘Children were crying, everyone was afraid’ – thousands fleeing Gaza City on the road of death

Exhausted Palestinians endure perilous journey to escape Israel’s latest offensive

Palestinians flee to the south along Al-Rashid Street following intensified Israeli airstrikes and the start of new ground operations in Gaza City. Photo: Getty

“Everyone used to say Gaza’s beaches are the most beautiful in the world,” Soliman Hijjy said, his voice weary after a relentless 27-hour journey to southern Gaza.

Along Al-Rashid Street, which runs parallel to the Mediterranean, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City as Israel ramps up its brutal military campaign.

Beauty has given way to destruction and fear.

The only permitted evacuation route out of the city runs 14km down the

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