Mass Displacement Sweeps Through Gaza City - United Nations Report
In the heart of Gaza City, the Israeli military's assault on Hamas militants has intensified, resulting in a new wave of mass displacement. This escalation has sparked international concern, with Spain announcing an investigation into potential human rights violations to assist the International Criminal Court.
The situation on the ground is dire. Palestinians are finding it increasingly difficult to move around, with the cost of a ride to the south soaring in some cases to over $1,000. The conflict has taken a heavy toll on civilians, with hospitals reporting at least 12 deaths, including three children, in Israeli strikes overnight.
The offensive, launched with US backing, has also led to outrage within the international community. The territory, already devastated by nearly two years of war, is now gripped by a UN-declared famine. Gaza City's civil defence agency reported that Israeli fire had claimed at least 64 lives on Wednesday, the majority in Gaza City.
The Israeli military is targeting what it calls "Hamas terror infrastructure" and is also operating in the southern areas of Rafah and Khan Yunis. However, the United Nations and various humanitarian organisations, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Terre des Hommes, have condemned attacks on humanitarian infrastructure and called for safe aid delivery and a ceasefire to protect civilians.
The conflict has resulted in a significant displacement of people. The World Health Organization chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the military incursion and evacuation orders are driving new waves of displacement, forcing traumatised families into an ever-shrinking area unfit for human dignity. According to the United Nations, about one million people were living in Gaza City and its surroundings at the end of August. Israel claims that 350,000 of these people have fled.
Gazans are heading south on foot, in vehicles, and on donkey carts, with their meagre belongings piled high. Aya Ahmed, a resident of Gaza City, described the constant artillery fire, air strikes, quadcopter and drone gunfire, and the bombing never stopping.
The plight of the people in Gaza City has not gone unnoticed. Ofir Braslavski, whose son Rom is held captive in Gaza, protested the Gaza City offensive in front of Netanyahu's house in Jerusalem. Mohammed al-Danf, a resident of Gaza City, expressed his desire for freedom and life, stating "We don't want to die."
Navi Pillay, who headed an investigation into the situation, compared the situation in Gaza to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, citing similar methods. The investigation accused Israel of committing "genocide" in the Gaza Strip, stating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials had incited the crime. However, Israel rejected the findings of the investigation, labeling them as "distorted and false."
The attack in October 2023 resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures. The offensive has also left 47 hostages, including 25 whom the Israeli military claims are dead, still held by Palestinian militants.
Amidst the chaos, humanitarian organisations are doing their best to support the people of Gaza. On September 18, 2025, in addition to the World Health Organization, UNICEF and Terre des Hommes actively participated to support the humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip. UNICEF provided essential aid like food, clean water, and psychosocial support to around two million people including one million children, while Terre des Hommes condemned attacks on humanitarian infrastructure and called for safe aid delivery and a ceasefire to protect children.
The situation in Gaza City is a complex and evolving humanitarian crisis. As the conflict continues, the international community must work together to find a peaceful resolution and ensure the safety and well-being of all those affected.
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