Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN chief, has detailed the scale of the displacement from Khan Younis following Israel’s evacuation orders, Al Jazeera reported.
“Yesterday, about 150,000 people fled areas in Khan Younis, as assessed by humanitarian colleagues monitoring population movements in the area,” Dujarric told reporters in New York on Tuesday.
He said: “Many have been observed on the move without any belongings. The immediate escalation of hostilities in the area also resulted in many people being trapped in the evacuation area. These included people with reduced mobility and family members supporting them.”
Dujarric said Palestinians told to evacuate eastern Khan Younis into al-Mawasi are moving to an area with very little services.
“Each evacuation order profoundly disrupts people’s lives. People have been forced to move into areas with little or no infrastructure – where there is very limited access to shelter, health, sanitation or other life-saving humanitarian assistance,” he said.
“Also, the area designated for evacuation yesterday included two primary health centres and two medical points, as well as a dozen food distribution points and eight cooked meal provision points. These have all ceased operations, with only one community kitchen still operational for those who have remained behind.”
