UN warns of ongoing risks of ethnic cleansing and repeated displacement in Gaza.
- Israeli forces continue to push Palestinians into increasingly shrinking areas, destroying civilian infrastructure and targeting displacement sites.
- Airstrikes Cause Further Displacement On October 25, an Israeli drone dropped munitions on tents housing displaced individuals near the Shuja'iyya junction.
- Most of these areas lie behind the lines of Israeli forces, known as the "yellow line," while the population continues to face repeated displacements.
- Humanitarian Crisis Deepens The office also warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis due to restrictions on the entry of shelter materials and ongoing bombardments.
UN Warns of Ongoing Ethnic Cleansing Risks in Gaza
The United Nations Office for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories has issued a stark warning regarding the persistent risks of ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces continue to push Palestinians into increasingly shrinking areas, destroying civilian infrastructure and targeting displacement sites.
Israeli Forces Expand Control
The office reported that Israeli forces are actively driving residents further inland with the stated goal of expanding their presence to cover 70 percent of the territory. Over the past two weeks, the documentation of this expansion indicates a significant westward movement, resulting in the displacement of residents from neighborhoods such as Shuja’iyya, Eastern Bureij, Deir al-Balah, and Al-Maghazi.
Attacks on Displacement Camps
The advance into Shuja’iyya coincided with reports of at least two attacks targeting displacement camps and the demolition of still-standing buildings. Additionally, there are reports of the use of explosive drones in these operations.
Airstrikes Cause Further Displacement
On October 25, an Israeli drone dropped munitions on tents housing displaced individuals near the Shuja’iyya junction. This attack ignited a fire that lasted nearly five hours, displacing 200 families, which includes around 800 individuals, predominantly women, children, and the elderly.
Dire Situation for Displaced Residents
Ajit Singh, the director of the office, stated that the chances of displaced individuals returning to their homes are nearly nonexistent. Most of these areas lie behind the lines of Israeli forces, known as the “yellow line,” while the population continues to face repeated displacements.
Call for Action from Israel
The office urged Israel, as the occupying power, to halt the forced transfer of Palestinians and facilitate their safe and dignified return to their homes. It emphasized that these actions could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The office also warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis due to restrictions on the entry of shelter materials and ongoing bombardments. Families are living in inadequate shelters and are increasingly struggling to meet their basic needs.
Ongoing Suffering in Gaza
Singh called for an end to the suffering of Gaza’s residents, highlighting that the majority of the population faces a fourth year of displacement and a fourth winter in tents that cannot withstand the rain, amid ongoing threats to their lives.
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