Israel Restricts 70% of Gaza, Displacing Civilians, Blocking Aid: UN
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Israel has declared 70 percent of Gaza inaccessible, issuing forced displacement orders and limiting aid, as it expands its ground offensive following the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas.
Israel has limited Palestinian access to 70 percent of Gaza, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The restriction has been enforced through no-go zone declarations and evacuation orders by the Israeli military.
In the south, much of the Rafah governorate has been rendered inaccessible since late March.
In northern Gaza, nearly all of Gaza City is under similar orders, with only small areas in the northwest remaining open.
Restricted zones also include large stretches east of the Shujayea neighborhood and areas along the Israeli border.
Animated maps show the expansion of these restricted areas since Israel ended a ceasefire on March 18.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that over two million residents “will be moved” in a new military campaign.
He stated that Israeli forces would establish a “sustained presence” in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s cabinet unanimously approved the call-up of 60,000 reservists.
The military will also oversee the distribution of food and supplies to Gaza's population.
Reporting from Deir el-Balah, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum said Palestinians see the offensive as collective punishment.
He reported that residents fear permanent displacement and a reshaping of Gaza’s political and demographic structure.
According to locals, Israeli criminal actions suggest a long-term strategy of territorial control rather than a political solution.
They believe the stated goal of dismantling Hamas is paired with an intent to depopulate Gaza and cut off aid.
This includes using humanitarian language to justify military expansion and restrict assistance.
Despite the offensive, many Palestinians express defiance, vowing not to abandon Gaza.
Social media is filled with messages of resilience and refusal to flee.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) warned that Gaza is at “extreme risk of famine.”
It reported food shortages in markets and aid centers.
“(On) the nutritional front, the population is facing once again an extreme risk of famine,” PRCS said.
The organization’s food reserves for displaced people are “completely depleted.”
Only small amounts of legumes remain, being used in community kitchens.
Israeli rights group B’Tselem said that Israel is “using starvation as a method of warfare.”
It said half the affected population are children.
Since March 18, the Israeli military has killed at least 2,459 Palestinians.
The death toll in Gaza now stands at 52,567, according to official counts.
