Palestinians, who have been forcibly displaced for months, were forced to leave their shelters and tents behind in the eastern part of Khan Younis, where they had taken refuge under harsh conditions. Hundreds of people from the eastern part of Khan Younis headed towards the western area of Al-Mawasi, hours after Israel called for the area to be evacuated.
Most Palestinian families were unable to find shelter and spent the night on the streets and roads. Palestinians who were forced to migrate stated that they were only trying to “save their lives” in the face of Israeli attacks.
Palestinian Hannan Neccar’s Migration Experience
Palestinian Hannan Neccar stated that he has been forcibly displaced seven times due to the attacks carried out by the occupying Israel on Gaza since October 7, and that he was forced to leave the tent he was living in after Israel warned him to evacuate. Neccar emphasized that they have not been able to get gas for food for about nine months, and flour for more than five months.
“My family and I have not been able to sleep since yesterday because we could not find shelter, we had to stay on the streets,” said Neccar, adding, “Our life consists of nothing but tiredness, we have reached the highest level of our tolerance.”
Palestinian Meryem Berim’s Difficult Living Conditions
Palestinian Meryem Berim said: “Living conditions have become very unpleasant due to repeated forced displacements and demolitions. Every day we are dragged from one area to another with evacuation orders. They are taking us back years. Everyone from the young to the old is experiencing this hardship.”
Berim, who said that he has heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, said that it was very difficult for him to endure the harsh living conditions he was exposed to and to cover long distances on foot with these diseases.
Linda Berim’s Concern About Homelessness
“After leaving our home in Khan Younis, we could not find any shelter other than the roads,” said Palestinian Linda Berim, who drew attention to the difficulties she experienced. “We couldn’t take anything with us. After the evacuation order, I fled with my children for fear of possible bombing.”
Berim stated that they feel tired due to homelessness and that they had been forcibly displaced five times before and now they have nowhere left to go.
Statement by the United Nations
Louise Wateridge, Senior Communications Officer for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza, described Israel’s call for an evacuation east of Khan Younis as “another devastating blow to humanitarian aid.” “We estimate that around 250,000 people have been affected by this evacuation call. We expect that number to rise. “For us, this evacuation warning is another devastating blow to humanitarian aid here,” Wateridge said.
