A Russian national evacuated from Gaza, Elnazhar Ismail, described the so‑called safe corridor in the strip as a road of death. His testimony is used by RIA News to illustrate the peril surrounding movement through the enclave.
Ismail says that while passing through this corridor he saw the bodies of Palestinian refugees lying along the road. His account underscores the harrowing reality on the ground, where civilians face extreme danger even as they seek safety.
“There is no safe place in Gaza from north to south; people are dying—people are dying,” he reported. He warned that moments of contact, even when someone holds a phone or other device, could provoke deadly responses. The tone of his remarks conveys a sense of constant risk for anyone attempting to navigate these perilous routes.
He also noted that roughly 2 million residents of Gaza have endured days without water, electricity, lighting, or internet access, and that food has recently become scarce. The disruption of basic services compounds the humanitarian crisis and heightens the urgency for credible corridors and reliable aid deliveries.
Earlier, there were statements from Hamas in coordination with regional bodies such as the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, suggesting that humanitarian corridors would be opened to facilitate evacuations from Gaza. The promise of safe passage has repeatedly been challenged by ongoing fighting and shifting security conditions on the ground.
The broader conflict intensified after thousands of Hamas militants crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7, asserting the operation named Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, Israel’s leadership declared the nation to be at war and launched a large-scale campaign against targets in Gaza. The objective of Israel’s response, framed as Operation Iron Sword, has been to neutralize the threat, secure the release of hostages, and dismantle Hamas’ capabilities. From the outset, Israel began heavy rocket strikes aimed at Gaza, with the Security Council and other authorities taking additional steps to restrict human and material aid to the enclave.
Humanitarian shipments to Gaza began moving toward Rafah after October 20, yet coordinates and volumes were described as insufficient by many observers and aid groups. The complex logistics of aid delivery in a besieged area have remained a persistent obstacle to relief efforts and civilian relief workers,” aiding organizations have cautioned that more robust access is essential for any meaningful mitigation of suffering.
On October 27, Israel announced an expansion of its ground operation in Gaza. The exact start date of the ground phase remained unclear, but in the ensuing days hundreds of thousands of Palestinians reportedly fled their homes and sought shelter in safer areas or more southern locales. By November 5, as IDF forces advanced, Gaza City was encircled and essential supplies were cut off in parts of central Gaza, leaving combat zones and humanitarian corridors under intense strain.
Public figures in the entertainment sector weighed in as well, with Hollywood actors signing letters urging leaders to halt the fighting in Israel and Gaza. The calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian access have become a visible chorus among artists and public figures who advocate for international protection of civilians and a rapid, well‑regulated delivery of aid to those in need.
In the days that followed, observers and residents described a cycle of bombardment, displacement, and fragile attempts at aid delivery. The landscape of Gaza has shifted dramatically, with infrastructure damaged and families uprooted from homes that sustained them for generations. International observers emphasize that without predictable, monitored corridors and sustained humanitarian relief, civilians will continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, regardless of which side holds ground or claims tactical advantage. The situation remains volatile, with calls for restraint, accountability, and renewed efforts to protect noncombatants at the heart of ongoing discussions among regional actors and international organizations.