A resident of Gaza, identified as Alaa, recently shared a harrowing account of their family's repeated displacement, now facing forced evacuation from their tent in Deir al-Balah. "I’ve lost count of how many times my family has been displaced. And now, they’re being forced to evacuate their tent in Deir al-Balah. A tent. Where the hell are they supposed to go now?" Alaa stated in a social media post on July 20, expressing profound "rage and exhaustion." This personal ordeal reflects the escalating humanitarian crisis in the central Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military has issued new evacuation orders for southwestern Deir al-Balah, including areas where displaced families are sheltering in tents, ahead of intensified operations. These orders contribute to a new wave of internal displacement, pushing an already vulnerable population into increasingly smaller areas. Humanitarian partners estimate that over 190,000 Palestinians were displaced from Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah within just four days, between July 22 and 25.
Deir al-Balah, once designated by Israeli authorities as a "humanitarian zone," has seen its safe areas continually shrink. Recent orders have reduced the so-called "humanitarian area" to approximately 41 square kilometers, representing only 11 percent of Gaza's total landmass. This compression forces nearly two million people into an unprecedentedly dense environment, making it difficult even to find space for tents.
Aid agencies and the United Nations have consistently warned about the dire conditions and the challenges in providing essential assistance. Reports indicate that 90 percent of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced at least once since the conflict began. Humanitarian organizations face significant obstacles, with UN officials stating that Israeli authorities prevent the distribution of aid through established systems, leading to empty warehouses while displaced families have nothing.
Furthermore, military actions have directly impacted civilians seeking safety and aid. On July 11, Israeli strikes reportedly killed 15 people, including children, at an aid distribution site in Deir al-Balah. UN humanitarians have condemned such incidents, raising serious concerns about adherence to international humanitarian law. The continuous forced displacement and lack of safe havens exacerbate the suffering of civilians like Alaa's family, who are left with diminishing options for survival.