Nearly 70 per cent of Gaza under Israeli control, according to UN
A year and a half into the war in Gaza, nearly 70 per cent of the territory is now either under evacuation orders or designated a no-go zone by Israeli forces, according to UN secretary general António Guterres. In a statement posted on X, Guterres expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis, warning of “devastating consequences” as aid remains blocked.
“Civilians must be respected and protected at all times and must have the basic necessities to survive. All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. The ceasefire must be restored and renewed without delay,” he said.
“No humanitarian aid will enter Gaza"
Since 2 March, Israel has blocked humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday, Israeli Defence minister Israel Katz reinforced that stance, saying: “No humanitarian aid will enter Gaza.” Katz called this blockade “one of the main levers to prevent Hamas from using” the aid.
Israel’s military strategy has also shifted. While early operations involved mobile troop movements, Katz has now announced plans to establish permanent “security zones” within Gaza. According to the Wall Street Journal, Israeli forces have taken control of about a third of the Strip and forcibly expelled residents from those areas.
Between 18 March and 8 April alone, nearly 400,000 Palestinians were displaced, according to UN figures. The UN human rights offic, OHCHR, has condemned the mounting evacuation orders, warning they are forcing civilians into increasingly overcrowded areas with limited access to water, food and shelter.
Israel has also signalled that it may retain control of the captured areas indefinitely, aiming to pressure Hamas, which continues to hold hostages.
© PHOTO MAURICIO LIMA / AFP
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