UN Official: More Than 75,000 Palestinians Displaced in Southwest Gaza

More than 75,000 Palestinians have been displaced in southwest Gaza in the past few days, the head of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) said on Sunday, 11 August 2024. 

“Over the decades, Palestinian civilians have been caught up in wars and conflicts, far too many times,” Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA commissioner-general, said on X.

“Just in the past few days, more than 75,000 people have been displaced in southwest Gaza,” he added.

Lazzarini noted that the Israeli military issued additional orders overnight forcing more people to flee, “again and again.”

Some of the fleeing Palestinians are only able to carry their children with them, “some carry their whole lives in one small bag,” he added.

“They are going to overcrowded places where shelters are already overflowing with families. They have lost everything and need everything,” Lazzarini stated.

“Unlike in other wars, the people of Gaza are trapped and have nowhere to go,” he added

Late Saturday and early Sunday, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for residents in the Gaza Strip the latest of which was issued for the “humanitarian safe zone” in Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip.

For the third time in a week, the Israeli military has expanded its evacuation orders in Khan Younis, where it announced the start of an offensive military operation on Friday.

Israeli ongoing genocide claimed the lives of nearly 39,800 victims since 7 October 2023.