250,000 Gazans Forced to Flee Deir al-Balah Due to New Israeli Evacuation Orders
Israeli evacuation orders have compelled approximately 250,000 Palestinian civilians to evacuate their homes in Deir al-Balah, a central region in the Gaza Strip, as reported by local authorities on Monday. The Israeli military had instructed residents to leave an area east of Deir al-Balah, previously marked as a “humanitarian area.”
The municipal office criticized the new evacuation orders, highlighting their role in worsening the humanitarian crisis for Deir al-Balah’s residents. The city, which houses about half of Gaza’s population, has seen significant disruptions, including the deactivation of 25 shelters and four water wells due to Israeli attacks. The total number of non-operational wells has risen to 14, impacting water access for around 70% of the city’s population.
The office also warned of threats to a major water reservoir, the city’s last functioning reserve after two others were damaged.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric has raised alarms about the severe risks faced by displaced civilians in Gaza due to these evacuation orders. Data from the UN indicates that 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced due to ongoing Israeli attacks.
Gaza’s government media office has reported that around 1.7 million displaced Palestinians are now confined to less than one-tenth of Gaza’s total area. Israel’s continued offensive, following an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has led to over 40,400 Palestinian deaths and more than 93,500 injuries, according to local health officials. The region faces severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies amid an ongoing blockade.
Israel is facing allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has mandated a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before the invasion on May 6.
