Israel’s evacuation orders have displaced 90% of Gaza’s population, causing a severe humanitarian crisis.
At a Glance
- Successive Israeli evacuation orders in Gaza have displaced 90% of its 2.1 million residents since the Israel-Hamas war began in October.
- U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden are working to end the war in Gaza.
- The International Rescue Committee reports the polio virus is circulating in Gaza for the first time in 25 years.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office announced a delegation has arrived in Cairo to resume cease-fire talks mediated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar.
Mass Displacement and Its Consequences
Successive Israeli evacuation orders have forced 90% of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents to flee their homes since the Israel-Hamas war commenced in October. This staggering figure, reported by the United Nations, underscores the enormous scale of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. Essential resources are scarce, and tensions are escalating as international relief efforts struggle to meet the urgent demands of nearly two million displaced people.
The conflict began on October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of 250 individuals. In retaliation, Israel launched an aggressive offensive, which, according to Gaza’s local Health Ministry, has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths. The violence and subsequent evacuations have created unsanitary and overcrowded living conditions, contributing to a resurgence of the polio virus, as reported by the International Rescue Committee. This marks a chilling recurrence of the virus after 25 years of absence in Gaza.
In 10 months of war, Israeli evacuation orders have displaced 90% of #Gaza’s residents.
"Mass evacuations in Gaza choke survival and severely constrain aid operations," warns Muhannad Hadi, Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
This cannot continue.⬇️
— UN Humanitarian (@UNOCHA) August 22, 2024
Diplomatic Efforts and Obstacles
In a bid to contain the crisis, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden are actively working to end the war. International diplomatic efforts are also underway, with a delegation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office recently arriving in Cairo to resume U.S.-mediated cease-fire talks. Despite these efforts, a major sticking point remains Israel’s demand for lasting control over two strategic corridors in Gaza, which complicates the peace negotiation process.
“Hamas appeared to push back against resuming negotiations on Thursday on any new cease-fire proposals. In a statement, it urged mediators United States, Egypt and Qatar to submit a plan to implement what was agreed on last month, based on U.S. President Joe Biden’s proposal, ‘instead of going to more rounds of negotiations or new proposals that provide cover for the occupation’s aggression.’”
Meanwhile, the continuous evacuations ordered by the Israeli military, including areas of Khan Younis, exacerbate the crisis. The so-called “humanitarian zones” are shrinking, and the conditions in these areas are dire, with many displaced individuals seeking refuge in overcrowded tent camps or improvised shelters in schools.
International Humanitarian Response
Key international aid groups grapple with the overwhelming crisis. The United Nations reports that the latest evacuation orders endanger civilians and compromise the safety of U.N. personnel and facilities in Gaza. U.N. humanitarian official Muhannad Hadi has expressed deep concern over the impossible choices facing families in Gaza, who are forced to relocate under dire circumstances.
“Aid workers are responding, but what they can deliver falls far short of needs,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Muhannad Hadi, said on Wednesday in a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. He stressed that “more funding is urgently needed – as is a safe, enabling environment inside Gaza.”
The international community must urgently increase humanitarian aid and work towards establishing safe corridors for the delivery of essential supplies. Until a sustainable peace agreement is reached, the plight of Gaza’s displaced population will continue to deteriorate, potentially triggering broader regional instability.
These are trying times, but the humanitarian resolve must remain strong and unwavering. Diplomatic and relief efforts must intensify to address the needs of the displaced and pave the way for lasting peace in this troubled region.
Sources
- Israel widens evacuation orders in southern Gaza. Hamas wants plans for a deal instead of more talks
