The Sinai-Gaza oasis city divided by a contentious border

Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, is under siege and constant Israeli attacks. 

Before 7 October, the city, which spans just 64 sq km, was already overpopulated and wracked by poverty and harsh living conditions due to a 17-year Israeli blockade. 

Since then, after Israel forcibly ejected Palestinians from northern and central Gaza towards the south, Rafah's population has quintupled in a matter of months to around 1.5 million. 

The people in Rafah, whose history spans three millennia, are now living in what resembles a cramped, makeshift tent city. These temporary abodes are inhabited by Palestinian refugees who have been displaced multiple times in their lives.  

Earlier this week, at least 67 Palestinians were killed after Israeli air forces struck 14 homes and three mosques in the city. 

Read more: The Sinai-Gaza oasis city divided by a contentious border