Israel is attempting to coerce Gazans to enter Egypt forcefully – UN official

The head of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency has asserted that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are laying the groundwork for the mass displacement of Palestinians into Egypt while establishing circumstances that will prevent them from ever returning to their devastated homes in Gaza.

UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) chief Philippe Lazzarini wrote on Saturday in a Los Angeles Times op-ed that “the United Nations and several member states, including the US, have firmly rejected forcibly displacing Gazans out of the Gaza Strip.” “However, the events we are seeing indicate that efforts are being made to relocate Palestinians into Egypt, whether they choose to remain there or be relocated elsewhere.”

According to a spokeswoman for the Israeli Defence Ministry, West Jerusalem has never had any intention of forcing Gazans into Egypt, refuting Lazzarini’s claim. Nonetheless, two Israeli MPs stated in an opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal last month that they hope to see more nations accept Gazan refugees who decide to relocate.

According to Lazzarini, the Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in the forcible eviction of almost 1.8 million Gazans, marking the greatest number of Palestinians from their homes since 1948. In Gaza, there have been close to 18,000 fatalities; an Israeli analysis revealed that 61% of those killed in IDF airstrikes were civilians. On October 7, Hamas launched surprise strikes against villages in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of almost 1,200 people and the escape of hundreds of hostages to Gaza. This marked the start of the war.

Over 270 Palestinians who were taking refuge in UNRWA shelters at the time of their deaths were among the casualties. Several of such shelters, according to Lazzarini, were located in central and southern Gaza, which was deemed to be safer than the north, which was the main target of Israel’s bombing operation. He went on, “The sad truth is that Gazans are not safe anywhere: not in the north, middle, or south; not at home; not in a hospital; not under the UN flag.”

According to Lazzarini, the survivors have now been encircled and are holed up in a “tiny area” in southern Gaza, close to the border with Egypt. The only choice left for many is to completely leave the Palestinian enclave.

The UN representative stated, “It is hard to believe that the Palestinians of Gaza who are displaced today will be allowed –or even willing– to return to their destroyed homes anytime soon, judging by policy and humanitarian discussions underway.”

The US blocked a resolution on Friday that was intended to mediate a truce in Gaza through the UN Security Council. Although the administration of President Joe Biden has asserted that the US is leading the world in aiding Gazan people, it is also supporting Israel’s military campaign. Just 20% of Americans, according to a CBS News poll published on Sunday, think that Biden is increasing the likelihood of a peaceful conclusion to the conflict.

According to Lazzarini, Israel is punishing the more than two million residents of Gaza with “collective punishment,” while Hamas has abdicated all responsibility for their safety to the UN. As a result, civilians are being used as pawns in the conflict. He continued, “meagre” humanitarian supplies that Israel has permitted to seep into the enclave have not brought about much help.

Lazzarini stated, “A tight siege and bombardment are creating conditions under which nothing more than mere survival is possible.” “The main component of this approach is the denial of humanitarian supplies. The south is still being destroyed after the north was destroyed, but this time there is nowhere for people to flee.