Humanitarian Crisis Deepens In Gaza As Israel Issues New Displacement Orders—Aid Organisations

GAZA CITY – Following Israel’s issuance of new mass displacement orders targeting Palestinian civilians in the northern part of the war-torn city, aid organisations have issued a stark warning of an escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In a joint statement signed by a consortium of aid organisations, including ActionAid, Action for Humanity, CARE International, and numerous others, the groups expressed deep concern over the orders issued on October 6th, which compelled Palestinians to relocate southward.

“This move will exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the north and has prevented international and national humanitarian organisations from carrying out even the most basic life-saving aid operations,” the statement read.

The new orders have effectively blocked aid workers from delivering vital supplies, including healthcare, clean water, food, and nutrition services, leaving the remaining civilian population with severely limited lifelines.

The statement emphasized that “Nowhere in Gaza is safe for civilians.”  It urged all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international law to protect civilians and ensure unhindered humanitarian access at all times.

The UN estimates that approximately 400,000 people remain in northern Gaza. Israel’s order for residents to flee through dangerous routes to already overcrowded areas like Al-Mawasi in the south has raised serious concerns.

Despite being designated by Israel as a “humanitarian zone,” these areas remain exposed to active fighting and routine airstrikes.

The aid organizations expressed particular worry for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities who may be unable to flee the area.

“Civilians who do not leave the area do not lose their right to protection,” the statement stressed, highlighting Israel’s obligation as the occupying power to ensure the safety and well-being of the Palestinian civilian population.

The statement further cited Paula Gaviria Betancur, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, who accused Israel of seeking to “permanently alter the composition of Gaza’s population” through these mass displacement orders and attacks on civilian infrastructure, in violation of international humanitarian law.

The aid organizations called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the protection of all civilians, and a significant increase in humanitarian aid.

They condemned the forcible transfer of Palestinians in Gaza as a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention, emphasizing that relocation areas have failed to provide adequate safety, shelter, or essential services.

There has also been no guarantee that displaced populations will be able to return once hostilities end.