In northern Gaza, a severe humanitarian crisis is unfolding. Thousands of civilians face a relentless siege, and many now describe Israel’s tactics as ethnic cleansing. Denied access to food, water, shelter, and medical care, these civilians live under constant bombardment, struggling to survive each day. The intense military actions have cut off aid and left people with few options, fueling grave concerns among human rights organizations about the worsening situation.
Civilian Crisis in Northern Gaza
Since early October, the bombardment of northern Gaza has intensified. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Israel has blocked essential supplies, leaving tens of thousands of Palestinians without adequate food, water, or medical care. Gaza’s last functional hospital in the north, Kamal Adwan Hospital, has been hit multiple times, and other medical facilities face severe shortages as supply routes are blocked. Conditions have grown dire, with humanitarian workers reporting deteriorating sanitary conditions in makeshift shelters where many families now live.
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Israel’s stated objective is to target Hamas fighters in the area, yet civilians, numbering between 69,000 and 100,000, continue to be caught in the crossfire. Evacuation orders, often sent through drones, flyers, or social media, urge people to head south. But even in southern Gaza, conditions remain unsafe and unstable, with shortages of food and medical resources, overcrowded shelters, and limited security.
“General’s Plan” and Growing Concerns of Forced Displacement
Human rights organizations report that Israel is following a military strategy that some term the “General’s Plan.” Under this approach, the army is systematically depopulating northern Gaza, viewing anyone who remains as a potential combatant. According to Rohan Talbot of the Medical Aid for Palestinians charity, this tactic is creating a “proof of concept” for similar measures in Gaza City, which remains under constant threat of an expanded siege.
This plan has ignited accusations of ethnic cleansing from rights advocates and political figures worldwide. Amnesty International’s Middle East director, Heba Morayet, condemns the siege, stating that starvation and forced displacement violate human rights. Jeremy Corbyn, a long-time supporter of Palestinian rights, describes Israel’s actions as fitting the definition of ethnic cleansing, while the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, notes the unprecedented targeting of healthcare facilities in Gaza.
Escaping Gaza: A Dangerous and Uncertain Journey
For those attempting to flee, Gaza has become a prison. Israel controls all travel within the region, including the recently established Netzarim Corridor, a heavily fortified strip that divides Gaza in two, effectively preventing civilians from seeking safety. Thus, with little access to transportation, many families make perilous journeys on foot, navigating dangerous paths under surveillance. The destination offers little reprieve, as severe shortages and cramped living conditions await them in the south.
The Netzarim Corridor: Gaza Divided
Stretching from Israel to the Mediterranean, the four-kilometer Netzarim Corridor now divides Gaza. Formally established in late November, this corridor restricts movement within the enclave, further complicating access to essential services and limiting humanitarian aid. For thousands of Gaza’s residents, this split symbolizes a deeper separation, cutting off communities from vital resources and making survival increasingly challenging.
International Pleas for Urgent Intervention
As conditions in northern Gaza continue to deteriorate, international calls for action grow louder.Thus, rights organizations, along with global political figures, urge immediate humanitarian assistance and protections for civilians in Gaza. This worsening situation highlights the desperate need for a resolution that prioritizes the safety and rights of civilians caught in this escalating conflict.
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