UN reports nearly half a million displacements in Gaza amid intensified Israeli attacks

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The UN on Monday reported a sharp rise in mass displacement across the Gaza Strip as Israeli operations intensify, highlighting mounting obstacles to humanitarian aid delivery.

Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told a news conference that "Israeli operations, including shelling and airstrikes, have continued across the strip."

He said OCHA "reminds us that the UN and our partners have not been allowed to bring any food aid from Zikkim crossing into northern Gaza for more than two weeks amid the ongoing hostilities and destruction." While many remain in Gaza City and the north, "many others continue to flee southward," he added.

On Sunday, partners recorded "nearly 6,900 displacements from north to south through four monitoring points," Haq said.

"Overall, between mid-August and yesterday, almost 453,000 displacements were reported across the Gaza Strip, with the majority originating from Gaza City," he added.

He warned that people are seeking shelter "in areas that are overcrowded and lacking in basic services," adding that "only 18% of the Gaza Strip is not currently subject to displacement orders or located within militarized zones."

Despite efforts to deliver assistance, Haq said "more than 40% of the humanitarian missions that required coordination with the Israeli military were denied."

Saying that some fuel was collected from Kareem Shalom, and medical supplies were distributed in Deir al-Bala, he said "water trucking continues to be denied."