GENEVA: The United Nations special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Paula Gaviria Betancu, has accused Israel of actively working to “permanently alter the composition” of Gaza’s population.
According to a news release from the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR), Betancu stated that Israel’s actions involve “ever-expanding evacuation orders and widespread and systematic attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructures” in southern Gaza.
The special rapporteur highlighted that Israel has broken promises of safety made to those who complied with evacuation orders in northern Gaza two months ago. Since October 7, approximately 85% of Gaza’s population has been internally displaced, with evacuation orders limiting their access to less than one-third of the Strip’s territory.
Concerns About Living Conditions of Palestinian IDPs in Gaza
Betancu expressed concern about the living conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs), noting overcrowded situations leading to rising communicable diseases and struggles to access necessities. The situation is expected to worsen with the onset of winter.
In response to the UN report, Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy stated on his official platform that Israel had designated the Al-Muwasi area as a humanitarian zone before the ground offensive, urging Gazan civilians to evacuate there for safety.
