Palestinians pay bribes to get out of devastated Gaza

Palestinian in Gaza are reportedly paying bribes to cross into Egypt, as a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas reveals the extent of the devastation caused by Israeli bombardment.

Khalil Abu Shammala, an Addameer activist, said desperate Palestinian families are attempting to get out of Gaza as the conditions are worsening, even with the ceasefire in place.

"Some people paid $5,000 per person to leave" Shammala told the I. "I know someone that paid $30,000 for six family members. Those who can coordinate… have their names at the border with Egyptian officials to enable them to leave," he added.

The rports come as displaced Palestinians attempt to return to destroyed homes across the Gaza Strip, with some Palestinians attempting to inspect their homes in northern Gaza.

Earlier on Friday, Israeli dropped leaflets warning displaced Gazans that "returning to the north is forbidden and very dangerous!!!"

The Israeli army reportedly fired on displaced persons attempting to go back north, killing two and wounding 11 according to AP.

An estimated 1.7 million people have been displaced by Israelis 48-day bombardment of the Gaza Strip which has killed nearly 14,854 people, including 6,150 children according to Gaza's media office.

NGOs who have been attempting to bring aid into Gaza amidst the ceasefire have spoken of the scale of destruction in the enclave.

Oxfam told The New Arab that the destruction was so extensive in Gaza, and the needs of displaced people were so high, that it would take "weeks, if not months" to properly supply aid into Gaza.

According to UNRWA, the "average number of displaced people per shelter surpassed 9,000," with shelters "hosting 4 and a half times more people than intended capacity."

Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA stated that "since my first visit 2 weeks ago, it was evident the humanitarian situation in Gaza has become much, much worse."