OCHA: Hostilities cause civilian casualties, destruction in Gaza city

21 August 2025

OCHA warns that the relentless bombardment of areas in and around Gaza city is having devastating consequences for civilians.

The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said yesterday that intensified Israeli attacks in eastern and southern Gaza city, particularly Az Zaytoun area, are causing high numbers of civilian casualties and large-scale destruction. OHCHR added that since 8 August, more than 50 residential structures have been hit, killing at least 87 Palestinians.

Yesterday, the Palestinian Civil Defense said it was unable to respond to most calls for help in Az Zaytoun, Khan Younis and Jabalya due to security risks and because the Israeli authorities have denied requests to coordinate access.

Farther south, OCHA reports that this morning, an Israeli air strike hit a makeshift site for internally displaced people near its facility in Deir al Balah, which is used as an office and guesthouse. The makeshift site, which was sheltering approximately 200 families, reportedly received a warning at short notice from the Israeli military and was evacuated immediately prior to the strike. While no casualties were reported, people’s shelters and their belongings were damaged or destroyed.

OCHA’s facility was lightly damaged, and the incident was traumatic for staff who were present at the time. Thankfully, OCHA personnel are safe and accounted for. OCHA reiterates that the coordinates of UN premises in Gaza have been shared with the relevant parties. These locations – as with all civilian sites – must be protected.

Once again, OCHA stresses that civilians – including those who cannot or choose not to move, as well as humanitarians – must be protected. Humanitarian facilities and other civilian infrastructure must not be targeted or used in an attempt to shield military objectives from attack.

Meanwhile, recurrent displacement continues to be reported. Partners monitoring the movement of people in Gaza estimate that between 12 and 20 August, more than 16,800 new displacements were recorded across the Strip. This brings the total number of recorded movements since the end of the ceasefire in mid-March to more than 796,000.

Gaza city accounted for 95 per cent of the displacement reported, with people fleeing eastern parts of the city, such as Az Zaytoun, and primarily moving south and west.

Meanwhile, hunger and malnutrition among children are deepening. Yesterday, UNICEF said that July was Gaza’s deadliest month for child malnutrition deaths, with 24 children under five reportedly dying. This is already 85 per cent of the total for this year.

The agency added that all 320,000 children under 5 are at risk of acute malnutrition, increasing illness and long-term health risks.

Meanwhile, partners are reporting a rise in child labour, with children collecting rubble and engaging in street vending and other informal work. Psychosocial distress is widespread among children who have been repeatedly displaced. Partners reiterate that supplies for child protection and psychosocial support are scarce, with none having entered since early March.

The UN and its humanitarian partners remain on the ground in Gaza, delivering life-saving aid whenever and wherever possible. They urge world leaders to uphold international law, protect civilians, and use their influence to ensure that Israeli restrictions on humanitarian access are lifted. Lives are at stake.