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United Nations

Gaza City Under Siege: A Desperate Exodus of Civilians

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Tens of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes in Gaza City as the Israeli assault on the city intensified, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. With the United Nations tracking Israeli airstrikes on residential towers, reports indicate that nearly all those killed are civilians. Amidst the chaos, a desperate exodus of civilians has been unfolding, with many forced to flee without shelter, food, or water. For those like Hassan, a UN employee, who managed to find a temporary shelter, the struggle is far from over.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 150,000 people fled Gaza City within seven days earlier this month, according to UN data.
  • The Israeli assault on Gaza City has resulted in widespread destruction, leaving nearly all those killed as civilians.
  • With no tents entering Gaza since the start of the Israeli blockade in March, and even tarpaulins at a premium, thousands of people are left without shelter.
  • The cost of renting a basic shelter in Gaza is as high as PS900 per month, with most buildings in the entire Gaza Strip totally or partially destroyed.
  • A Gaza resident, Hassan, reported that finding a roof over his head was a major challenge, with relatives offering cramped living arrangements to alleviate the crisis.
  • Hassan also mentioned the desperation and despair felt by those forced to flee, with many losing their will to live in the face of uncertainty.
  • Eyewitness accounts from those who have fled Gaza City describe a harrowing journey, with the smell of malfunctioning engines, sewage, and constant gunfire overpowering the senses.
  • Hassan questioned the military rationale behind the Israeli assault, suggesting that it was not about military targets or Hamas, but rather about demolishing people's homes.

Statistics:

  • Over 150,000 people fled Gaza City within seven days earlier this month.
  • Nearly everyone killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza is a civilian (according to OHCHR).
  • 20 members of the same family, including 12 children, were killed in the deadliest single strike on a cluster of tower blocks.
  • The Israeli defense minister Israel Katz claimed, "We want to take control of Gaza City because today it is Hamas's main governing symbol. Today, if Gaza falls... they will fall."
  • The cost of renting a basic shelter in Gaza is as high as PS900 per month, the same as buying a tent.

Sources:

  • The Observer
  • United Nations human rights office (OHCHR)

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