The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced due to successive evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces. The mass displacement, which began in October 2023, is ongoing as the Israeli military advances deeper into Gaza, issuing new evacuation orders for areas such as Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis.
Muhannad Hadi, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, stated that these mass evacuations have severely hindered aid operations and worsened the survival prospects for those forced to flee. In a statement on X, Hadi emphasized the dire situation, noting that civilians, many of whom have already been displaced multiple times, are being moved into increasingly overcrowded and unsafe areas with limited access to essential services.
Most recently, tens of thousands of civilians were ordered to evacuate from four neighborhoods in Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis. The orders also impacted humanitarian staff from various UN agencies and NGOs, who play a crucial role in supporting the displaced population.
The ongoing evacuations have drastically reduced essential services. In Deir el-Balah, the water supply has decreased by at least 70% due to the shutdown of pumps and desalination plants located in evacuation zones. The severe shortage of chlorine for water disinfection is exacerbating the situation, with reserves expected to last only one more month. This has led to an increase in diseases, including skin infections, hepatitis A, and polio.
The situation for civilians in Gaza is becoming increasingly desperate, with families forced to move repeatedly under fire, carrying only what they can manage. The UN and other humanitarian organizations continue to call for the protection of civilians, the release of hostages, and the facilitation of humanitarian access as essential steps towards addressing the escalating crisis.