The United Nations (UN) says humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip have suffered a serious blow as Israel ordered thousands of Palestinians who have been displaced multiple times since October 7 to evacuate again.
Israel's military on Monday issued three new evacuation orders, including 19 residential neighborhoods in northern Gaza and Deir al-Balah in the center of the Strip, affecting thousands of already displaced people.
The forced evictions in the city of Deir al-Balah include 15 buildings hosting relief workers from the UN and non-governmental organizations, four warehouses belonging to the UN, three wells, and a water desalination plant.
"There are more than a million displaced people in Deir al-Balah. The repeated evacuation orders mean more suffering for them and more displacement. There are no tents and no places to put them. Water, food and medicine are running out at a very dangerous rate, threatening human life here," said Amjad Al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network.
Al-Aqsa Hospital, the only functioning hospital in the central Gaza Strip, was providing medical care to more than 650 patients at the time of the evacuation order. Most left in fear, but some 100 patients were unable to relocate including a senior named Mariam Nassar.
"We couldn't sleep because of the intensity of the gunfire and artillery shells. Every moment I imagine we'll be targeted and pronounce the Shahada, but God has saved us. We ask God to protect us and save us from this situation," said Nassar.
The World Health Organization has stressed the urgent need to launch a polio vaccination campaign for 640,000 Palestinian children, after a baby from Gaza was confirmed infected with polio for the first time in 25 years.
"The conditions are very bad so far. We've not been able to start the vaccination campaign, due to our lack of readiness because of the difficult conditions in the Gaza Strip," said Khalil Al-Dakran, doctor at the Al-Aqsa Hospital.
Adding to the humanitarian crisis, the UN says it has been forced to stop the movement of aid into central Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) describes the situation as catastrophic, as families are forced to flee while they are surrounded by tanks, bombs and constant Israeli raids.
From one neighborhood to the next, from displacement to escape, the suffering of Palestinian families and their children continues as they try to escape Israeli bombing campaigns on the one hand, and hunger, thirst and disease on the other.
Gaza humanitarian operations suffer blow from Israel's evacuation orders
Gaza humanitarian operations suffer blow from Israel's evacuation orders
Gaza humanitarian operations suffer blow from Israel's evacuation orders
