With this order, Israeli forces are setting in motion the mass forced displacement of more than 1.1 million people from Gaza city and the entire northern part of the Gaza Strip. It has sowed panic among the population and left thousands of internally displaced Palestinians now sleeping on the streets, not knowing where to flee to or where they can find safety amid a relentless bombing campaign by Israel and merciless collective punishment measures. This order must be rescinded immediately.
“Forcible population transfers constitute a crime against humanity, and collective punishment is prohibited under international humanitarian law. We are horrified at the prospect of an additional 1 million Palestinians joining the over 423,000 people already forcibly driven from their homes by the violence over the past week. It is inconceivable that more than half of Gaza’s population could traverse an active war zone, without devastating humanitarian consequences, particularly while deprived of essential supplies and basic services. The humanitarian system in Gaza is already at breaking point. Gaza’s infrastructure has been devastated by indiscriminate bombardments from air, land and sea, and those currently displaced have nowhere to go. Tripling the displaced population overnight will decimate and permanently alter the civilian population of Gaza. More than two-thirds of internally displaced persons are sheltering in UNRWA schools which are not fit for this purpose, and have themselves been bombarded. Over 1,400 [13th October figure] Palestinians have been killed and more than 6,000 have been injured since 7 October, leaving hospitals overwhelmed, Because there is no conceivable way for hospitals to evacuate the most serious cases, the WHO has called the evacuation order an effective ‘death sentence’ for the sick. I would like to remind Israel that observance of international law is compulsory, not optional, during any conflict,”. To that end, I call for the strict respect of international humanitarian law and its provisions, including unrestricted humanitarian access to those in need, the cessation of indiscriminate attacks against civilians, and an end to forced displacement of populations and blockade,”.
"I was terrified, I thought I was about to die," said Gina, crying over the phone as she described the trip to the south.
“They told us to escape and then they bomb people on the road. My father drove back to Gaza City. He said if we are dying anyway, let's be at home in Gaza,"
lsrael orders civilians in Gaza to evacuate the northern area and move south, only to target them on their way there. pic.twitter.com/fIZq7CGEUk
— TIMES OF GAZA (@Timesofgaza) October 13, 2023