Israel’s latest plan to displace individuals in northern Gaza has intensified the sense of despair among Palestinian civilians, many of whom have experienced multiple displacements since the onset of the conflict.
This displacement strategy is expected to worsen the already critical humanitarian situation in Gaza, where hunger has dramatically increased following Israel's blockade on aid supplies implemented in March. The United Nations has recently issued warnings regarding an escalating humanitarian catastrophe.
“We don’t want to even hear the word ‘evacuation’ again,” stated Anees Jneed, 31, a displaced Palestinian residing in a makeshift shelter in northern Gaza. Mr. Jneed noted that his family has been displaced at least six times since the war commenced in October 2023. He expressed that “displacement means death, humiliation, homelessness.”
Mr. Jneed is expected to be among the first affected by Israel’s strategy to capture significant portions of Gaza and compel residents to relocate southward. On Monday, Israeli authorities announced the mobilization of tens of thousands of military reservists to facilitate the expansion of military operations. Israeli leaders aim to exert pressure on Hamas to engage in negotiations for a cease-fire and to release hostages held in Gaza.
However, the announcement has had the contrary effect; a Hamas spokesman declared on Tuesday that the group is no longer willing to participate in cease-fire discussions.
This situation has exacerbated the prevailing sense of hopelessness among Gazan civilians. Wafa al-Ghouty, 35, an accountant and mother of five, reported being displaced seven times since the war's initiation. She is currently residing in a tent in a coastal area of southern Gaza.
Ms. al-Ghouty described the challenges as “extremely difficult,” citing not only the repeated displacements but also severe hunger and the inability to provide basic necessities for her family. “Every time we settle, we are forced to move again,” she remarked. She shared her plans to cook her last bag of pasta within the next day, highlighting the dire conditions they are facing. “Sometimes we’re so focused on surviving — finding food and medicine for the children — that we miss the news,” she added, indicating that the recent announcement felt like a “thunderbolt.” She has already prepared a small bag with her children’s clothes and important documents in anticipation of potential developments.
Since Israel renewed military operations in Gaza nearly two months ago, following the collapse of cease-fire negotiations, the situation has deteriorated significantly. Ongoing airstrikes and ground operations have resulted in thousands of casualties. The United Nations estimates that over 1.9 million people, representing the majority of Gaza’s population, have been displaced since the conflict began.
The humanitarian crisis has worsened in recent weeks due to the blockade on aid supplies. Many bakeries are non-operational, food stocks are critically low, and medical supplies are in short supply. Israel maintains that its blockade is lawful and asserts that sufficient provisions remain available in Gaza.
Mr. Jneed conveyed his struggle to meet the basic needs of his two children, stating that the family now survives on just one meal a day. “Every hour that passes is worse than the one before,” he lamented.