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'Worst day of our lives' – Palestinian family laments fleeing home in Ridhwan towards south of Gaza

'Worst day of our lives' – Palestinian family laments fleeing home in Ridhwan towards south of Gaza

"A Palestinian family recounted the bitter moments of evacuating their house in the Al Rishwan neighbourhood towards the south of Gaza to flee the Israeli military incursion into the north.   Footage filmed on Saturday captures the Mahdi family packing their personal belongings as they prepare to leave. "Today I am fleeing. It is not a voluntary evacuation, as said, but rather involuntary. […] We live under shelling and clashes; we sleep with the sounds of gunfire and helicopters flying overhead," Mahdi Nafez said. His wife, Maha, who is also a cancer patient, described the evacuation as 'the worst day of our lives', adding: "Life itself perished."   "We are only breathing by God's blessing, but our souls died when they told us to flee and leave the house, as we are compelled to leave our house with all memories and dreams along with everything that represents us here," Maha continued.   On Friday, the Israeli military declared Gaza City 'a dangerous combat zone' as Arabic-language army spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced the implementation of 'preliminary operations' on the outskirts of the city.   Earlier this month, Israel's security cabinet endorsed a plan to expand the war by taking control of Gaza City, triggering widespread international condemnation, including Russia, France and the United Kingdom, warning of its potential breach of international law.   The conflict began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,139 people and taking 200 hostage. In retaliation, Israel has conducted a widespread military operation across Gaza; as a result, 63,371 Palestinians were killed and 159,835 others were injured at the time of publication, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health."