Some 90% of Gaza’s 2.1 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the Israeli bombardment began in October.
– Every time we arrive somewhere, two days later we get another evacuation order. This is no way to live, says Palestinian Haitham Abdelaal.
The evacuation orders have become so numerous that many Palestinians no longer bother to obey them – in the first three weeks of August alone, 11 new evacuation orders were issued via social media, text messages and leaflets – again urging some 250,000 Palestinians to leave and seek shelter elsewhere, according to TT.
“The Israeli army will act with force against terrorist organizations in this area. For your safety, we urge you to evacuate immediately”, read one order sent out in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
Several Palestinians interviewed by the news agency said they did not know where to go, saying there were no safe places left in Gaza and that “there are airstrikes everywhere”.
“Constantly shrinking area”
– They are forcing families to flee again, often under fire and with the few belongings they can carry with them, into an ever-shrinking area, said UN coordinator Muhannad Hadi, in a statement, stressing that they have no access to shelter, medical care, water or other humanitarian supplies.
– The way forward is as clear as it is urgent: Protect civilians, release the hostages, facilitate humanitarian access, agree on a cease-fire, he demands.
The constant evacuations also mean that UN staff working in the area can no longer work effectively. In several cases, staff have been forced to leave their stocks of food and other supplies intended for distribution to the civilian population, it is reported.
