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UN Reports Two-Thirds of Gaza Now Restricted for Palestinians
Israel has now restricted access to approximately two-thirds of Gaza, either by declaring large areas as no-go zones or ordering forced displacements, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Among the affected areas is southern Rafah, where Israel issued a new displacement order on March 31, signaling an escalation of military action. These restrictions also impact parts of Gaza City, where Israeli troops initiated a ground offensive on Friday morning to expand their “security zone.”
The escalation has caused one of the largest mass displacements of the war, forcing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, many of whom had already been displaced multiple times, to flee once more.
“Our biggest challenge now is displacement,” said Abu Hazem Khalef, an elderly man from Gaza City. “We are at a loss on how to handle the situation. I’m heading west, looking for a street where I can set up a tent.” Mahmoud al-Gharabli, another displaced person, added, “We are being forced to leave with no place to go. We are exhausted and broken.”
Israeli military operations follow a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who announced that Israel was intensifying its pressure on Hamas, demanding concessions. Netanyahu declared, “We are now dividing the Strip and increasing pressure step by step to secure the release of our hostages.”
On Friday, Israeli forces continued airstrikes, killing at least 30 people, according to local sources, following a devastating bombardment the previous day that claimed the lives of 112 people, including many women and children.
Conditions at Gaza City’s al-Ahli Hospital, where many casualties have been brought, are described as catastrophic. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud reported seeing bodies piled up and doctors unable to save lives due to the dire circumstances.
Israel resumed its attacks on Gaza on March 18, breaking a two-month ceasefire after talks with Hamas faltered. Netanyahu has demanded Hamas release 59 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, without committing to ending the war or withdrawing troops. Hamas has offered a three-stage ceasefire plan, calling for a permanent ceasefire in return for the release of all hostages.
Since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, 2023, Israel’s military actions have resulted in 50,523 Palestinian deaths and 114,638 injuries. In contrast, the October 7 Hamas-led attack killed 1,139 Israelis and took more than 200 hostages.
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