UN: Israeli Operation Displaces over 800,000 Palestinians in Rafah

Ahmed Emam

A senior U.N. humanitarian official revealed on Monday that over 800,000 Palestinians have been displaced from the southern Gaza city of Rafah since Israel initiated its ground offensive there two weeks ago.

Edem Wosornu, U.N. director of operations and advocacy for the Office of Humanitarian Affairs, told a meeting of the Security Council on the situation, said: “Today, the once overcrowded camps and emergency shelters in Rafah have now largely emptied, with the majority of the displaced seeking refuge in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah.”

She stated that the conditions at the displacement sites where people are arriving are "horrendous." There is a lack of adequate toilets, clean water, sewage, and shelter.

"These appalling conditions raise serious doubts about compliance with these basic obligations."

Wosornu mentioned that the United Nations and its partners are struggling to provide assistance to the displaced because they are unable to get supplies into Gaza on the scale required.

Israel’s representative stated that it is "truly terrible" that civilians in Rafah have to be evacuated, but the move should be supported, not condemned.

“They have moved to a designated humanitarian zone that is being filled with aid,” Ambassador Gilad Erdan told the council of the Israeli-designated sites. “And our hope is for many more civilians to leave Rafah and move out of harm’s way.”