Thousands of Palestinians fled a community in the central Gaza Strip on Monday in the face of new Israeli evacuation orders, worsening the humanitarian crisis in an area already overwhelmed with displaced people escaping conflict in the south. Palestinian group Hamas accused Israel of hindering ceasefire efforts, claiming that Israel had imposed new conditions on a proposed truce.
Israel, having captured nearly all of Gaza, intensified military operations in previously claimed Hamas territories. Hundreds of thousands sought refuge in Deir al-Balah, the last major area not yet impacted by Israeli assaults. Palestinian medical officials reported casualties from recent airstrikes, amid a polio epidemic detected in sewage samples.
UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini stated that only 14% of Gaza remains without evacuation orders, highlighting the ongoing displacement crisis. Families evacuated with limited belongings, using unconventional transportation to reach safe areas. The civilian population continues to bear the brunt of the conflict as violence escalates.