Over the past ten months, Israel has limited the area Palestinians in Gaza can live to just 11% of the 139 sq. miles narrow strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea.
According to the United Nations, the Israeli Defense Forces issued a series of evacuation orders to Palestinians, pushing the 2.3 million people into two overcrowded areas, Muwasi and Deir Al-Balah. The total area of the regions dubbed humanitarian zones in Gaza is about 15 sq. miles.
Throughout the conflict, Israel has defined a shrinking area of Gaza as a safe zone or humanitarian zone where Palestinians can live without fear of conflict. However, the IDF has bombed multiple safe zones.
Palestinians and aid agencies have argued that the Israeli instructions for reaching safe zones are often confusing and come without enough notice. Tel Aviv has presented the humanitarian zones as efforts to curb civilian casualties.
On Sunday, Israel ordered the evacuation of 11 neighborhoods in Gaza.
Muwasi was a fishing village with little infrastructure prior to October 7. Israel has forced many of the displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza into the region, which has turned into a massive tent city. Humanitarian agencies have complained that Israel’s safe zones lack infrastructure and access to aid.
Since October 7, nearly the entire population of Gaza has been forced from their home, either fleeing Israeli bombs or IDF evacuation orders. Many Palestinians report being displaced multiple times.
Throughout the conflict, the IDF has destroyed vast swaths of the Strip. Additionally, Israel has formed corridors that bisect the Strip and prevent the movement of Palestinians. The IDF is building bases in Gaza, suggesting Tel Aviv is plotting a longer-term occupation.
