OCHA: More families lose homes and shelter as military operations escalate in Gaza city

09 September 2025

OCHA says that its warnings that the Gaza Strip could be sliding into an even deeper catastrophe are now materializing. OCHA stresses that as military operations in Gaza city escalate further, world leaders still can, and must, act decisively to prevent further suffering.

Over the past 48 hours, the Israeli military has struck high-rise buildings, with more families losing their homes or tents. Today, the Israeli authorities ordered everyone in Gaza city to move south. All of this comes just over two weeks since famine was confirmed in Gaza governorate.

OCHA reiterates that leaving the north is simply impossible for many people. The cost of transportation is well above US$1,000, the coastal road is barely passable, and displacement sites in the south are beyond overcrowded. Most people have already been displaced countless times. They are exhausted and out of money.

Today and yesterday, partners tracking displacement trends recorded 9,400 movements from northern to southern Gaza, bringing the number recorded since mid-August to nearly 62,000 as of 2 p.m. local time. Overall, displacements across the Gaza Strip have now reached 110,000 since mid-August, including many within the north.

Throughout Gaza, people are living out in the open, in makeshift shelters patched together from worn tarpaulins. A fresh supply of tents has only just begun to trickle in, after months of being blocked by the Israeli authorities. With ongoing impediments – including Israeli requirements related to NGO registration and custom clearances, as well as delays in securing collection from Kerem Shalom crossing – quantities remain nowhere near sufficient to meet people’s growing needs.

Today, the UN Satellite Centre published a preliminary analysis that identified 1,500 displaced people who live in tents along the shore as being at high risk in the event of high tides or storm surges. The analysis focused on a small area west of Al Rashid Road, the coastal road, where a very high density of tents has been observed in an area known to be flood prone.

OCHA warns that the coastline is already crammed with makeshift shelters, forcing newly displaced families to sleep dangerously close to the water’s edge.

Humanitarians estimate that many people will remain in Gaza city even after today’s order and amid a further escalation in hostilities. For this reason, aid organizations will need sustained, safe access to all parts of Gaza – including the north – regardless of displacement orders or the labeling of some areas by the Israeli authorities as either “humanitarian” or “dangerous.” Safety is not guaranteed anywhere across the Gaza Strip. OCHA reiterates that civilians must be protected, wherever they are.

Humanitarian operations continue to be hindered by the intensified Israeli offensive. Over the past two days, partners providing protection services in Gaza city, including to children, have had to suspend operations because premises they used were in close proximity to buildings that came under attack.

Protection partners are present along the main north-south displacement route, where they have been supporting separated families and unaccompanied children – offering psychosocial support, distributing high-energy biscuits, and raising awareness of the risks that people could face in the south.

Meanwhile, OCHA reports that the situation remains tense following yesterday’s shooting attack by Palestinians in Jerusalem that killed six Israelis. Since then, Israeli forces have imposed extensive movement restrictions across Jerusalem, Ramallah, and other parts of the West Bank.

New checkpoints were installed, and existing ones had stepped-up checks, leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians trapped for hours and further isolating entire communities. Specifically, the Biddu enclave – which is home to some 40,000 Palestinians – was sealed off.

More details:

• UN Secretary-General: Gravely alarmed by Israel’s decision to take control of Gaza city (8 August)
• UN Human Rights Chief: Israel’s plan for complete military takeover of Gaza must be immediately halted (8 August)
• UN Assistant Secretary-General: Warns Security Council that new Israeli military plan risks “another calamity” in Gaza and urges ceasefire, hostage release and renewed political path to two-State solution (10 August)
• Security Council meeting coverage: UN Warns Israel’s Gaza City takeover could trigger ‘another horrific chapter’ in conflict (10 August)
• Security Council: Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia, and United Kingdom on the situation in Gaza (10 August)
• OCHA: Urges Security Council to “summon courage” to end inhumanity in Gaza (10 August)
• OCHA: Warns that ground operation could push thousands ‘over the edge’ (14 August)
• UN and NGOs: Warn of humanitarian impact of intensified Gaza city offensive and further mass displacement (18 August)
• UN Human Rights in Occupied Palestinian Territory: Israeli plan to take full control of Gaza city will lead to further killings and displacement (20 August)
• OCHA: Hostilities cause civilian casualties, destruction in Gaza city (21 August)
• UN Secretary-General: Another deadly escalation in Gaza (28 August)
• OCHA: UN and partners remain in Gaza city, call for protection of civilians (29 August)