Israeli Evacuation Order in Central Gaza a ‘Devastating Blow’ to Aid Efforts, Says UN

A mass evacuation order issued by the Israeli military for residents and displaced persons in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, has delivered “another devastating blow” to ongoing humanitarian efforts, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated on Sunday.

Overview of the Evacuation Order

UN’s Statement and Concerns

The OCHA warned that the latest evacuation order:

• Further fragments an already devastated territory.
• Disrupts access to lifesaving aid operations, including:
  • Health clinics
  • Water supply infrastructure
  • Food warehouses

“These locations — as with all civilian sites — must be protected, regardless of displacement orders.”
— OCHA Statement

OCHA has confirmed that UN staff remain active in Gaza, with their coordinates shared with relevant parties to ensure their protection.

Humanitarian Impact

The situation continues to deteriorate sharply:

• Repeated displacements: Nearly the entire population of Gaza has been forced to flee at least once.
• Food insecurity: The population is experiencing severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.
• Access issues: The order severely limits the UN and partners’ ability to operate safely and effectively, as mobility and logistics are heavily constrained.

Political and Administrative Repercussions

In a further escalation, Israel revoked the residency permit of Jonathan Whittall, the head of OCHA’s office in Israel, citing his outspoken condemnation of humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Death Toll and Historical Context

The Gaza conflict stems from the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, in which 1,219 people, mostly civilians, were killed, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

In response, Israel launched a sustained military campaign, which has since resulted in:

The Israeli evacuation directive has escalated an already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With over 87% of the territory now under evacuation or military restriction, 2.1 million people are effectively trapped in just 12% of the land, where basic human services have broken down.

The UN has described the situation as catastrophic, and the latest developments have deepened both operational challenges and international concern.