80% of Gazans now displaced, says UN humanitarian coordinator

The UN humanitarian coordinator for Gaza said on Tuesday that 1.9 million people - 80 percent of the territory's population - were now displaced, adding she was "deeply concerned" by reports of new evacuation orders for Khan Younis.

The United Nations has estimated that up to 250,000 people are impacted by the Israeli military order for civilians to leave Al-Qarara, Bani Suhaila and other localities near the territory of 2.4 million's second city of Khan Younis.

"Over 1 million people have been displaced once again, desperately seeking shelter and safety (and) 1.9 million people are now displaced across Gaza... I'm deeply concerned about reports of new evacuation orders issued in the area of Khan Younis," Sigrid Kaag told the UN Security Council.

"Palestinian civilians in Gaza have been plunged into an abyss of suffering. Their homes life shattered, and their lives upended. The war has not merely created the most profound of humanitarian crises. It has unleashed a maelstrom of human misery," Kaag added.

She said that not enough aid was reaching the war-torn strip and that the opening of new crossings, particularly to southern Gaza, was necessary to avert a humanitarian disaster.

Kaag said the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt should be re-opened and also pleaded with the international community to do more to fund relief efforts.

Israel's military offensive on Gaza has killed at least 37,925 people - most of whom were women and children.