The 1.1 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip have 24 hours to move to the south of the region, a UN official said.
This was the information provided by the Israeli military late Thursday night to the UN. Palestinians fear that this could be a precursor to a planned ground offensive by the Israeli army.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the warning. Meanwhile, Israel brings heavy equipment to the Gaza Border and continues to launch airstrikes in the region after Saturday’s deadly attack on Israel by Hamas militants. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement:
“The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences. The United Nations strongly appeals for any such order, if confirmed, to be rescinded avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation.”
Dujarric said all UN staff and those sheltering in UN facilities should follow the evacuation order, including schools, medical centres and clinics. Israel’s mission to the UN in New York also did not immediately comment on the Israeli military’s statement.
A bloody Hamas attack over the weekend killed 1,300 people, the worst attack on civilians in Israel’s history. Israel responded by besieging Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, and launching a bombing campaign that destroyed entire neighbourhoods. Gaza authorities said more than 1,500 Palestinians had been killed. At least 12 UN employees have been killed in the chaos.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said fuel powering emergency generators at hospitals in Gaza could run out within hours and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned food and fresh water were running dangerously low.
With Israel sealing off the territory, the only way in or out is through the crossing with Egypt at Rafah, but Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that airstrikes on Rafah have prevented it from operating. Egypt has been trying to convince Israel and the US to allow aid and fuel through the crossing.
