Thousands Displaced in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict and Protests in Israel

The Israeli military's continuous bombardment of Gaza City has led to the displacement of thousands of residents, particularly in the Zeitoun neighborhood, amid a deteriorating humanitarian situation. As protests erupt in Israel against the government's occupation plan, the UN warns of rising malnutrition and emerging famine conditions in Gaza.

Thousands of residents from Gaza City’s southern Zeitoun neighborhood are fleeing amidst relentless Israeli bombardment that has left the area in a "catastrophic" state, according to the municipality run by Hamas. The Gaza civil defense agency reported that at least 40 individuals lost their lives to these attacks on Saturday alone. The Israeli military announced plans to allow aid groups to send tents into Gaza amidst ongoing efforts to forcibly relocate up to a million residents to camps in the south.

In Israel, a general strike is scheduled for Sunday, protesting the government's plan to seize Gaza City, which has drawn criticism for potentially endangering the lives of hostages held by Hamas. This action comes on the heels of the war cabinet's decision to occupy Gaza City, which has been met with widespread condemnation from the UN Security Council.

To facilitate the transition of civilians from combat areas, the Israeli military body Cogat announced a resumption of supplying tents and shelter materials. Eyewitness reports confirm mass displacements occurring in the Zeitoun area, which is home to approximately 50,000 residents facing extreme shortages of food and water. One resident, Ghassan Kashko, expressed their fear, stating that the relentless air strikes feel like they create "explosions... that don't stop," with families losing the ability to sleep.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reported to wish for the complete Israeli occupation of Gaza City to begin from October 7. Meanwhile, Gaza City's municipalities indicate that about 80 percent of its infrastructure has been severely damaged due to nearly two years of continuous Israeli assaults. The remaining hospitals are barely operational, functioning under immense pressure and with only 20% of their necessary supplies available.

The UN estimates that 1.9 million people, or around 90 percent of Gaza's population, have been displaced, with signs of severe malnutrition becoming prevalent. Reports reveal that many have already succumbed to malnutrition-related deaths, including 251 fatalities among vulnerable children. In Italy, a young woman from Gaza, Marah Abu Zuhri, died shortly after being evacuated for treatment, highlighting the urgent health crises faced by residents.

International aid organizations have raised alarms about famine conditions emerging in Gaza, while over 100 entities criticized the limitations imposed on humanitarian aid deliveries. In stark contrast, the Israeli government maintains there is no starvation occurring within Gaza, blaming UN agencies for not properly mobilizing aid.

Amidst this unfolding tragedy, the civil defense agency reported recently that many Palestinians died attempting to secure food, as the conflict remains entrenched in continuous cycles of violence since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which marked the start of the current escalation. The fallout of these events has now resulted in over 61,000 Palestinian casualties according to reports from the Hamas-run health ministry, which are acknowledged as credible by the UN.