GAZA CITY: More than one million Palestinian people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip over the last week, according to the UN, as Israel intensifies its bombardment and hints at a possible ground attack.
Seven days of relentless bombing have resulted in the martyrdom of over 2,300 innocent Palestinian civilians, mostly women, children and elderly people.
Gaza |
Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex:
35,000 Palestinians residents of Gaza were displaced to Al-Shifa Complex due to the intense Israeli bombings. pic.twitter.com/mCKUJZ0YRE
— Younis Tirawi | يونس (@ytirawi) October 13, 2023
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, warned against expanding the conflict, stating, “No one can guarantee the control of the situation and the non-expansion of the conflicts” if Israel conducts a ground offensive in Gaza. He called for an end to the ongoing attacks against citizens and civilians in Gaza to prevent further escalation.
Israel Orders Palestinians to Evacuate North of Gaza Strip
Israel has ordered 1.1 million Palestinians in the north of the Gaza Strip, nearly half of its population, to move south to safety, indicating the possibility of a ground operation. Thousands of Israeli troops and heavy weaponry are stationed in the desert south of the country, awaiting orders.
The United States, which has sent two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean in support of Israel, expressed concerns about a potential escalation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been engaging in diplomacy across the Middle East to prevent a wider crisis. Meanwhile, Israel’s order for Gaza residents to leave their homes has been criticized by aid agencies, accusing Israel of inflicting collective punishment on civilians.
READ ALSO: Gaza’s Civilians Face Humanitarian Crisis Amid Israeli Military Buildup
The UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, revealed that more than one million people have already been displaced within the first week of the conflict. Gaza residents, carrying their belongings on motorbikes, cars, vans, and donkey carts, have sought shelter in the crowded south of the Gaza Strip, including UN-run schools.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with critical shortages of water, fuel, and food supplies. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and electricity outages pose a threat to life-support systems. The closure of Israeli-controlled crossings and the shutdown of the Rafah border have effectively trapped Gaza residents, leaving them with limited options for escape.
