75% of Gaza's population forcibly displaced by 'Israel': UNRWA

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
23 May 2024 11:48
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UNRWA has revealed a troubling statistic of 75% of Gaza's population being forcibly displaced by "Israel" with many experiencing displacement multiple times.

Photo taken on May 20 shows Palestinian families living among rubble in damaged schools in Khan Younis, lacking tents, essential services & vital supplies. (UNRWA)

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has reported that "Israel" has forcibly displaced 75% of the Gaza population since October, with many individuals being displaced multiple times, up to four or five instances.

"For thousands of Palestinian families, there is nowhere left to go: military operations & bombardments pose a continuous threat, and buildings have been turned to rubble. Nowhere is safe in Gaza," the UN agency said in a post on X.

75% of the population of #Gaza have faced forced displacement, many up to 4 or 5 times.

For thousands of Palestinian families there is nowhere left to go: military operations & bombardments pose a continuous threat, buildings have been turned to rubble. Nowhere is safe in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/u0I5jEtfi2
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 22, 2024

Concurrent Israeli attacks on Gaza's southern and northern borders have triggered a fresh wave of mass displacement, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes amid severely limiting aid access.

Beginning May 9, "Israel" initiated a new phase of forced displacement, instructing residents of Rafah to evacuate the city. As of Tuesday, the UN reported that over 900,000 individuals from Rafah have been displaced.

UNRWA has noted a significant surge in occupancy at its facilities in Khan Younis, which serve as shelters for forcibly displaced Palestinians, with a 35 percent increase since May 6.

EU official urges stepped-up support for UNRWA

In a recent statement, Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, commended the nations' initiative in support of UNRWA. Borrell emphasized the indispensable role UNRWA plays in providing a lifeline in Gaza and the wider region.

Regarding the collective effort of all EU donors, he noted that they have resumed their support to the Agency. However, despite this support, UNRWA still finds itself in a critical financial situation.

I commend the initiative in favour of @UNRWA, an indispensable lifeline in Gaza and in the region.

All EU donors have now resumed their support to the Agency, still in critical financial situation.

We have to step up our support; the needs are only growing. https://t.co/wOHmu3RdQx
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) May 23, 2024

Borrell stressed the urgent need to escalate support for UNRWA, pointing out that the needs it addresses are continually expanding. As the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the region remains dire, he urged the international community to bolster its assistance to UNRWA.

The call for increased support comes at a crucial juncture, with UNRWA facing mounting challenges amid persistent financial constraints.

UNRWA stops all food distribution in Rafah, warns of US pier failure

UNRWA stopped food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on May 21 due to a lack of supplies and an untenable security situation as a result of the Israeli expansion of a military operation in Rafah.

The UN warned in a post on X that humanitarian operations all around the territory were near collapse.

🛑As a result of the ongoing military operation in eastern Rafah the @UNRWA distribution centre and @WFP warehouse, both in #Rafah, are now inaccessible.

Food distributions in Rafah, southern📍#Gaza, are currently suspended due to lack of supplies and insecurity. pic.twitter.com/EQfdjHYwrk
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 21, 2024

In the same context, a top UN official said earlier this month that "Israel's" blockade of major crossings into Gaza has shut off the main entrance route for supplies, notably gasoline, making humanitarian operations nearly impossible.

Andrea De Domenico, head of the United Nations humanitarian agency (OCHA) in the occupied Palestinian territories, expressed that the "main entry point for all humanitarian aid" had been lost.