UN: More than 142,000 individuals displaced in just one week in Gaza

According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, referencing information from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 142,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced since Israel recommenced its military operations in Gaza on March 18. This announcement was made during a news conference on Wednesday.

According to Dujarric, continuous airstrikes and frequent displacement directives, along with the persistent blockade on goods entering Gaza and routine obstruction of humanitarian efforts within the area, are profoundly affecting over 2 million residents.

According to spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the escalation of the conflict is anticipated to result in a substantial increase in the number of displaced persons.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) issued an urgent alert on Tuesday evening, highlighting the dire situation faced by numerous individuals who are currently displaced. These people are taking refuge on the streets, critically lacking basic necessities such as food, potable water, and essential shelter supplies, as they have managed to escape with merely a handful of personal possessions.

On Wednesday, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of over 39 individuals and left 124 others injured within a 24-hour period.

Reports have surfaced indicating that several areas in Gaza, including Jabalia in the north and the southern regions of Khan Yunis and Rafah, have come under heavy bombardment.

Israeli airstrikes in Jabalia have reportedly hit a civilian residence, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least eight individuals, including a six-month-old infant. In a related incident, a residential apartment within the Bureij refugee camp was also targeted, leading to the loss of another child’s life.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has drawn attention to the dire situation facing around 250,000 Palestinians living in regions slated for evacuation. This includes over 50,000 people scattered across 240 locations specifically set up for internally displaced individuals.

The current displacement crisis is significantly driven by Israel’s mandated evacuation directives and the demolition of residential and public infrastructure, according to reports.

Following the resumption of hostilities by Israel, the country’s military has issued six evacuation orders, affecting approximately 15 percent of the Gaza Strip, according to agency reports.

In the midst of ongoing humanitarian challenges, Gaza’s last operational water system is teetering on the edge of collapse, according to recent reports.

The international medical humanitarian organization, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), has issued a warning regarding the worsening situation if fuel supplies are depleted, a development that would severely restrict access to clean water.

Chiara Lodi, representing Médecins Sans Frontières’ medical team in Gaza, has underscored escalating health concerns in the region. She reported a significant surge in pediatric skin ailments, attributing this trend to the ongoing damage and blockade affecting Gaza.

A recent report highlights a notable increase in preventable skin diseases among children, emphasizing the significant impact of the ongoing conflict.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has issued a statement marking the 25th day of Israel’s tightening blockade, amidst ongoing non-compliance with a proposed ceasefire agreement. This situation has significantly escalated the number of civilian casualties, according to reports.

According to the latest figures released by Gaza’s health ministry, the death toll in Gaza has risen to over 830 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, since Israel renewed its military operations in the region on March 18. The conflict has also resulted in injuries to 1,787 individuals, translating to an average daily toll of 103 fatalities and 223 injuries.