Fighting in Gaza, situation of civilians and more

Palestinians wait to collect food at a donation site at a refugee camp in Rafah on December 23. Sahar Alghorra/Middle East Images/Getty Images

The United Nations has expressed concern over the rising number of internally displaced people in parts of Gaza, as Israeli forces expand their campaign into more parts of central and southern Gaza.

In its latest update, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said at least 100,000 internally displaced people had moved into Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah in recent days following escalating hostilities in Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah. Had arrived. and evacuation orders from Israeli forces.

OCHA said Rafah is already the most densely populated area in Gaza, with more than 12,000 people per square kilometer.

Parts of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza are also experiencing continuous flooding. OCHA said the instructions accompanying an online map published by Israeli authorities “call on residents to immediately move to shelters in Deir al-Balah, which is already overcrowded and home to several million internally displaced people.” Are.” “The extent of displacement resulting from this evacuation order remains unclear.”

OCHA also cited World Health Organization data that shows the spread of diseases in Gaza, “particularly in southern Gaza due to recent large-scale displacement.” “Some families have been forced to relocate multiple times.”

About 180,000 people living in shelters are suffering from upper respiratory infections; There are 136,400 cases of diarrhea (half of them in children under five); 55,400 cases of lice and scabies; 42,700 cases of skin rashes, as well as outbreaks of jaundice and meningitis.

“Shortages of food, basic survival items and poor sanitation have worsened the already dire living conditions of internally displaced people, exacerbated protection and mental health problems, and increased the spread of diseases,” OCHA said. Is.”