Israel Accused of Forced Displacement by UN Agency
The intense fighting between Israel's military and Hamas in Gaza is resulting in massive displacement of Palestinians. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has voiced concerns over this situation, possibly labeling it as a war crime committed by Israel.
UNRWA Director Philippe Lazzarini accused Israel of pushing toward the forced displacement of the Gaza population towards Egypt during their military operations against Hamas. The UN chief pointed out that there seems to be an intention to resettle Palestinians in Egypt, regardless of their eventual destination.
The widespread destruction in the north of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian area and subsequent refugee movements are deemed as the first step in such a scenario. The expulsion of civilians from the town of Chan Junis in the southern region of Gaza Strip, closer to the border with Egypt, would signal the next step.
If Israel persists with this strategy, it may well pave the way for a second "Nakba," Lazzarini warned. Using the Arabic term "Nakba" for "catastrophe," it signifies the expulsion of around 760,000 Palestinians following Israel's establishment as a state in 1948.
Israel denies any plans of mass displacement
Officials from the Israeli Ministry of Defense have fiercely dismissed these allegations. A spokesperson from the defense ministry insisted that there exists no plan to relocate Gaza Strip inhabitants to Egypt. "There has never been and never will be an Israeli plan to relocate the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip to Egypt," the spokesperson added.
Last week, an Israeli government representative had already spoken out about the country's focus on bringing civilians to safety within the Gaza Strip itself.
The border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was reopened right after the brutal Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Palestinians seeking medical treatment and foreigners were among the individuals leaving.
According to the UN, more than half of the houses in the Gaza Strip have now been destroyed. Approximately 1.9 million people, around 85% of the population, have been compelled to leave their homes. The southern region of Rafah along the border with Egypt has transformed into a massive refugee camp. Supply distributions have finally been able to resume in this region only since last Friday due to the ongoing clashes elsewhere.
Hamas releases gruesome death toll
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began with Hamas' large-scale assault on Israel on October 7. The terrorist organization, labeled as such by both the United States and the EU, launched hundreds of fighters into Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading to heinous attacks primarily against civilians, including many women and children.
As per Israeli authorities, around 1,200 individuals lost their lives, and an additional 240 were taken captive in the Gaza Strip. Israel then announced war on Hamas and has waged relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip ever since, with a one-week ceasefire being the sole exception.
According to reports from Hamas, more than 17,700 individuals have been killed in Gaza so far, majorly women and children. The residents of Gaza are heavily restricted in terms of their ability to leave the coastal strip.
References:
The UN has expressed unease over Israel's actions in Gaza, with UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini accusing Israel of attempting to resettle Palestinians in Egypt, potentially leading to a second "Nakba" for Palestinians. However, the Israeli Ministry of Defense swiftly denied these accusations, affirming that there exists no plan to relocate the Gaza Strip inhabitants to Egypt.
