Over 75,000 Palestinian Displaced In Southwest Gaza In Past Few Days: UN Official

ANKARA, Aug 11 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- More than 75,000 Palestinians have been displaced in southwest Gaza in the past few days, Anadolu Agency (AA) reporting, quoting the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

“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 Sunday.

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

Lazzarini noted that the Israeli authorities 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 said.

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

The Israeli army issued late Saturday and early Sunday 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, according to Anadolu.

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

Despite appeals Thursday from mediators, including Egypt, the US and Qatar, to stop hostilities and reach a cease-fire and a hostage exchange agreement, Israel persists with its deadly onslaught against Gaza, which has killed nearly 40,000 victims since Oct last year. 

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU