Mass Displacement: Israeli Regime Set to Displace 1.1 Million Palestinians in Gaza
The regime has issued an ultimatum to more than half of the population of Gaza, telling them to leave their homes in the north of the besieged territory within 24 hours. The Israeli military sent the warning to the United Nations, which relayed it to the Palestinian authorities, Reuters reported.
The UN said that the order affects 1.1 million Palestinians, who live in densely populated areas such as Gaza City, Jabaliya refugee camp, and Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun. The UN strongly urged the Israeli regime to revoke the order, saying that it would have "devastating humanitarian consequences" and could turn the already tragic situation into a "calamity".
"The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
Dujarric added that the order also applies to UN staff and those seeking shelter in UN facilities, including schools, health centres and clinics.
However, a Hamas official dismissed the UN statement as "fake propaganda" and called on Palestinians in Gaza not to heed it, Reuters reported.
Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch, warned that Israel's demand for 1.1 million Palestinians to leave northern Gaza would amount to mass displacement not seen since Nakba in 1948 when more than 700,000 Palestinians were forced out of their homes.
"This would amount to displacing 1 million+ Palestinians – displacement on a scale we have not seen since the Nakba," Shakir said in a social media post.
"The international community must act to prevent a calamity. History will not be kind to those who remain silent."
According to the UN, more than 423,000 people have already been displaced in Gaza due to the Israeli bombardment that has killed more than 1,500 Palestinians, including some 500 children.
The Israeli relentless bombardment of Gaza comes as the Hamas resistance movement launched a large-scale offensive against the regime on October 7 in response to desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque and increased violence against Palestinians across occupied territories. More than 1,000 Israeli forces and settlers were killed in the attack.
Source: Agencies
