Nine in every 10 people in Gaza forcibly displaced by Israeli military

UNRWA said most of them are seeking shelter in overcrowded schools, makeshift tents or destroyed buildings.
2 min read
27 July, 2024
Nine in every 10 people in Gaza are forcibly displaced since Israel launched its war on the enclave [Getty]

Nine out of every 10 people in Gaza have been forcibly displaced amidst Israel’s ongoing war on the besieged enclave, the UN agency UNRWA said in a new report.

The relief agency said that the majority of families in Gaza have now been forced to seek shelter in overcrowded schools, destroyed buildings or even amid piles of rubbish.

Many forcibly displaced Palestinians have also been forced to make tents out of scrap materials.

"None of these places are safe. People have nowhere left to go", UNRWA said in a statement on X, urging for a ceasefire.

Last week, Scott Anderson, deputy humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territories at UNRWA said on average, people in Gaza have had to move at least once a month.

He clarified that civilians are unable to carry their belongings with them, often having to leave everything behind. Each time people are forced to move, they lose some of their wealth and belongings, he said.

UNRWA’s headquarters in Gaza was also levelled in Israeli attacks last week.

"…Another episode in the blatant disregard of international humanitarian law. United Nations facilities must be protected at all times. They must never be used for military or fighting purposes. Shocking," commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in response.

Conditions in Gaza are worsening, after medical groups announced that six samples of type two polio have been detected in parts of Gaza as a result of the collapsed healthcare system and lack of clean water and hygiene facilities.

Israel’s war on Gaza has ravaged the enclave, killing over 39,000 people and wounded over 90,000 others since October.