Over 1.2 million people are sheltering in makeshift structures in and around Rafah, enduring scorching temperatures that reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). These tents offer little protection from the heat and lack basic amenities like clean water and sanitation facilities.

Phillipe Lazzarini, head of the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA), confirmed the deaths of two children due to the heatwave. "What more to endure?" he wrote on social media, highlighting the dire situation faced by Gazans.

A UN report by the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) states a five-month-old girl died on April 25th due to the heat. 

The rudimentary tents, often made from scraps and plastic sheeting, offer scant protection from the elements.  UN officials warn the lack of access to fresh water poses a serious public health threat as temperatures rise.

Gaza's usual hot season brings high humidity and temperatures that peak in August. This heatwave is expected to exacerbate existing health problems, including rising cases of diarrhea and Hepatitis A. 

The situation is further complicated by the ongoing Israeli blockade on Gaza, which restricts the flow of food, water, and fuel.  Israel's attacks on hospitals and limitations on medical supplies have severely impacted Gaza's healthcare system.

Displaced Palestinians describe living in the tents as akin to being trapped in a greenhouse.  With limited space and overcrowding, the heat becomes unbearable. 

Mustafa Raswan, displaced from Gaza City, told UNRWA, "Everything is a queue, everything is suffering in displacement."  Daily routines involve waiting for food rations, water, and using makeshift latrines.

Rafah, a city already densely populated, is now hosting five times its pre-war population due to the influx of displaced Gazans.  Fears of a potential Israeli ground invasion in Rafah raise concerns about a massive civilian casualty toll.

International aid agencies face a logistical nightmare if forced to evacuate the large number of injured and sick in need of treatment.  The UN reports only 54% of medical evacuation requests for Gazans have been approved by Israel. (ILKHA)