UN: Nearly 100,000 Palestinians displaced in Gaza over past four days

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says more than 97,000 Palestinians have been displaced in the Gaza Strip over the past four days, warning that displacement is a “constant” in the territory, as the Israeli military expands its ground invasion of the besieged coastal sliver.

The warning came in a post published on the social media platform X on Monday, as the UN agency criticized using humanitarian aid as a tool to displace people. 

“Humanitarian aid must never be used to influence the movement of people.” 

Whilst expressing readiness with partners to assist displaced communities inside Gaza, IOM also reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire and full, safe, sustained access to operate. 

In addition to ongoing bombardment, Israel has been using displacement orders to force Palestinians from their homes in the Gaza Strip.

“These displacement orders come as populations across Gaza are at risk of famine and one in every five people faces starvation,” the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned.

One woman, one girl killed every hour in Israeli attacks

Separately, the UN agency for women’s rights said more than 28,000 women and girls have been killed in Gaza since the onset of Israel’s genocidal war in October 2023.

“That is one woman and one girl on average killed every hour in attacks by Israeli forces,” UN Women said in a statement. “Among those killed, thousands were mothers, leaving behind devastated children, families, and communities.”

The group reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all Israeli captives and the “immediate restoration of unhindered humanitarian access.”

92% of Gaza homes destroyed: UNRWA

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) also said on Monday that Israel’s ongoing atrocious military campaign in Gaza has destroyed 92% of Palestinian homes in the area.

“Families in Gaza face unimaginable devastation. According to the Protection Cluster, 92% of homes have been damaged or destroyed,” it said in a statement.

“Countless people have been displaced multiple times, and shelter is scarce,” UNRWA stated, renewing its call for lifting the Israeli siege on the Palestinian region.

The Israeli military resumed bombardment of Gaza on March 18, killing thousands of Palestinians, and injuring many others, after it shattered the 2-month ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian group Hamas and the deal on the exchange of Israeli captives with Palestinian abductees.

At least 53,486 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 121,398 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli military onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the besieged coastal territory.