GAZA: An estimated one million people have been displaced in the first seven days of the conflict in Gaza, the United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees said on Sunday.
“An estimated one million people have been displaced in the first seven days” of the war in Gaza, UNRWA Director of Communications Juliette Touma said.
“The number is likely to be higher as people continue to leave their homes.”
Israel has been pounding Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip after the group carried out a deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7 that killed more than 1,300 people.
More than 2,300 people have also been killed in Gaza in Israeli air strikes.
As Israel intensified air strikes on Gaza Strip and told residents to move south towards the border with Egypt, some thought that would be a safe option and gathered up their belongings.
Palestinians are desperate to find a safe hiding place as the Israeli army continues offensive in Gaza accompanied by relentless air strikes.
The journey to the south is also fraught with risks as Israel hits back at Hamas after the group launched a surprise attack on Israel.
Israel has already unleashed the fiercest bombing ever on the impoverished narrow Gaza, one of the most densely populated areas in the world.
Palestinians were dispossessed and displaced, many spilling into neighbouring Arab states where they or many of their descendants remain. Many still live in refugee camps.
Israel said it kept two roads open to let people escape, but displaced Palestinians fleeing on that road said Israeli bombings of the eastern areas around that road never stopped.
Two days ago 70 Palestinians were killed and 200 were wounded when Israeli planes bombed several vehicles carrying displaced Gazans, according to health ministry and official media.
The United Nations says so many people cannot be safely moved within Gaza without causing a humanitarian disaster.
An Israeli bombardment of Gaza faces both the Palestinians that stayed home and others who made the treacherous trip to the south.
A witness said he saw mangled cars and a completely torched truck on the road to the south. Some people who had hoped the south would provide some relief have changed their minds and are heading north. — Agencies
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