Tens of thousands of residents fled their homes in communities along the Thai-Cambodian border as intense clashes turned vibrant towns into deserted areas, before a ceasefire was later announced through diplomatic channels.
Nam Yuen is one of the dozens of communities near the Thai-Cambodian border once bustling with life. Because of the armed clashes, these communities were virtually transformed into so-called "ghost towns" marked by empty streets, abandoned homes and shuttered businesses.
Tens of thousands were displaced from areas near the fighting zones, with some only able to return briefly under dangerous conditions to tend to animals or check on property.
During the clashes, a local farmer expressed the distress shared by many residents.
"I want it to stop. I really want it to stop and now the loud noises have started again," said Jakkrin Sriwongsa.
Local authorities focused on balancing evacuation efforts with property protection.
"I'm looking after our people who are still in the area — for example, the leaders of each village and also the volunteer security groups who haven't evacuated. They must stay behind to protect peoples' property," said Kamonrat Patthasai, a provincial official.
While businesses sustained severe financial losses, safety remained the absolute priority throughout the crisis. Reports indicate that saving lives, rather than economic considerations, guided the emergency response.
Amid the turmoil, diplomatic efforts led to a ceasefire announcement. Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul and Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet held separate phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday. Following these discussions, Trump said via social media that both sides had agreed to implement a ceasefire beginning that evening.
Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said Thursday that the latest border clashes with Cambodia have left nine Thai soldiers dead, more than 120 people injured, and nearly 200,000 Thai civilians displaced.
As of Friday afternoon local time, the number of Cambodian evacuees from the border fighting has risen to more than 300,000, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release.
Thailand-Cambodia border clashes displace thousands before ceasefire
At least 14 people were killed in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours as homes collapsed and tents sheltering displaced families were flooded during a powerful winter storm, Gaza's Civil Defense said on Friday.
The fatalities included three children who died from hypothermia, while others were found under the rubble of homes destroyed by heavy rain and strong winds, particularly in Gaza City and northern areas of the enclave, the Civil Defense said.
From Wednesday evening through Friday, the Gaza Strip has been battered by heavy storms and cold weather, leaving the displaced families facing harsh and unsafe conditions. Fragile tents and makeshift shelters, where at least 1.5 million Palestinians are living, offer no real protection from the storms.
Mahmoud Bassal, spokesman of the Palestinian Civil Defense said on Friday that the severe weather has intensified the humanitarian emergency, with the death toll standing at 13 at the time of his statement.
"The weather system affecting Gaza is extremely severe. We are talking about house collapses and the complete destruction of more than a dozen buildings. Dozens of other buildings have partially collapsed, which is why we are reporting 13 victims. More than 90 percent of citizens' tents in Gaza have been completely flooded. In some areas, water levels have risen to more than one meter," he said.
Hiba Al-Yazji, a displaced Palestinian, recalled how a sudden massive influx of water inundated her tent during the night.
"We were flooded. It was like a massive surge of water. I stood in our tent at night with my daughter, and it felt like a pool, with water flowing in from all sides. Since Wednesday, I haven't slept at all, I swear to that. We spread our mattresses out to dry, and now it's going to rain again. Everything in my kitchen has fallen apart," she said.
Other displaced Palestinians have faced similar hardships amid the winds and downpours.
"We have been suffering since the weather system began. I haven't slept for three days. Whenever the rain intensifies, we keep moving inside the shelter. Last night, the plastic roof collapsed on us because of the heavy rain. We spent the night pushing water out, afraid it would flood our tent. My little daughter couldn't sleep at all last night because of the cold," said Dina Khattab.
At least 14 killed as winter storms batter Gaza: civil defense
