OCHA updates: More people displaced amid deadly escalation in Gaza city

16 September 2025

OCHA reports that Israeli shelling and air strikes continued over the past 24 hours across Gaza city and beyond. Announcing the expansion of its ground operation, the Israeli army has again declared Gaza city a “dangerous combat zone” and reiterated its order for people to move south of Wadi Gaza.

Amid this deadly escalation and the displacement orders by the Israeli military, people continue to flee. Between Sunday and yesterday, partners monitoring population movements recorded nearly 48,000 displacements from north to south. Since mid-August – and as of yesterday – more than 190,000 such movements have been observed, with many people traveling on foot due to the extremely high cost of transport.

Partners on the ground are providing support to those on the move. They report that between Sunday and yesterday, more than 1,500 people – including more than 900 children – received urgent assistance, including psychosocial aid, water and medical care. Women and girls also received dignity kits and referrals for further support.

Partners report that displaced families, often led by women and older people, are walking up to nine hours in extreme heat, frequently barefoot and with injured children. Many are arriving without shelter, and requests from the most vulnerable for family tents are rising.

The Ministry of Health warned yesterday that Gaza’s blood banks and laboratories have now run out of life-saving stocks and could shut down within days without urgent replenishment. Hospitals require at least 350 units of blood daily, but supplies have reached zero.

Meanwhile, partners working on health report that hospitals and clinics remain under immense strain. This week, Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza city sustained damage from nearby bombardment and is now sheltering displaced families. Only half of UNRWA’s medical points in Gaza city – three out of six – remain functional.

The humanitarian community continues to face major obstacles. The Zikim crossing has been closed for four consecutive days. Fuel and medical missions have been called off due to insecurity, congestion and looting. Aid convoys continue to face delays and risks on the road, preventing assistance from reaching civilians who need it most.

Despite these immense challenges and dwindling supplies, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to deliver life-saving assistance and critical services wherever and whenever possible across the Gaza Strip.