Since the breakdown of the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in early December, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated dramatically, leaving nearly two million people displaced and struggling to survive. The intensifying fighting, coupled with evacuation orders, has forced civilians into increasingly cramped areas, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis.

On Friday, the Israeli military issued another evacuation order, this time in central Gaza, affecting almost 90,000 people. The majority of these individuals had already fled from northern Gaza and sought refuge in this area. Now, they are once again forced to find new shelter, adding to the difficulties faced by Gazans.

The lack of basic necessities such as sanitation, food, and water has left the displaced population in a state of desperation. According to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, over 1.7 million people are registered in shelters in the south of Gaza. However, there are hundreds of thousands of individuals who cannot find space within these overcrowded shelters and are left to sleep along roads and in open spaces.

Satellite imagery reveals the presence of tent camps in the southern region of Gaza, highlighting the severity of the displacement crisis. Many Gazans have followed the Israeli evacuation orders, hoping to find safety. However, Israeli bombings have continued throughout the south, including in the areas where people were instructed to move.

Multiple airstrikes and fighting have taken place near almost every shelter in the southern regions of Gaza. Some shelters have even been directly hit, resulting in casualties among the displaced population. The U.N. relief agency reports that at least 299 displaced people have been killed in its shelters since the war started, with 81 deaths occurring since November 30.

The Israeli military claims to be taking precautions to minimize harm to civilians while targeting Hamas. They argue that the extensive tunnel network built by Hamas puts civilian infrastructure and lives at risk. Despite these assurances, more people are being forced into areas that cannot adequately accommodate them, according to the head of the U.N. relief agency in Gaza.

Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, is now the most densely populated area in the region. U.N. officials note that shelters in Rafah, originally designed to accommodate 2,000 people, are now hosting an average of more than 15,000 individuals each. The lack of resources and infrastructure in Rafah, as well as neighboring Deir al Balah and Khan Younis, further compounds the suffering of the displaced.

Access to aid has been severely limited due to ongoing attacks. Deir al Balah and Khan Younis, in particular, have been unable to receive necessary assistance. Relief officials stress that tracking the movements of nearly two million displaced people, who continuously move from shelters to the homes of others, is a monumental challenge.

Without a new cease-fire agreement, the homeless population in the south of Gaza will continue to face displacement in the coming weeks. Additionally, those who have not yet fled their homes are at risk of being displaced as the attacks persist. The situation remains dire, with a desperate need for immediate humanitarian intervention to alleviate the suffering of the displaced Gazans.