As the war enters its third month, Palestinians are increasingly gathering in the diminishing spaces available in Gaza

During the ongoing war in Gaza, which has entered its third month, Palestinians in desperate need of safety are increasingly converging in limited areas of the Gaza Strip. The United Nations has raised alarms about the dire humanitarian situation, stating that their aid operations are severely compromised as no area in Gaza remains safe.

Israel’s intense military operations in Gaza have led to significant civilian casualties and displacement, causing global concern. The Israeli military disclosed that it had targeted approximately 450 sites in Gaza over a single day, underscoring the severity of the campaign.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently alerted the Security Council to an imminent “humanitarian catastrophe” in the region. In response, Arab and Islamic nations have urged for a vote on a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

The United States, a close ally of Israel, seems poised to veto any U.N. resolution to end the hostilities, which began with a deadly attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7. Despite this, the U.S. has expressed increasing concern over the devastation in Gaza. U.S. officials have urged Israel to minimize civilian casualties, especially after significant destruction was caused in Gaza City and the north.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a conversation with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, emphasized the need to reduce casualties and facilitate humanitarian aid access to Gaza.

Israel maintains its stance on needing to dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities and remove the group from power following the October 7 attack.

Initially, the Israeli campaign concentrated on Gaza’s northern region, causing hundreds of thousands to flee south. Despite ongoing intense battles in the north and detentions of Palestinian men by Israeli troops, the ground offensive expanded to southern Gaza, focusing on Khan Younis.

With the entire Gaza Strip under assault, displaced individuals have crowded into Rafah and the designated safe zone in Muwasi. However, overcrowding and lack of resources in these areas pose significant challenges.

The U.N. has reported difficulties in delivering aid due to disruptions caused by the fighting and communication blackouts. Martin Griffiths, the U.N.’s humanitarian chief, warned that the scale of the military assault has left no safe space for civilians in southern Gaza, effectively dismantling the humanitarian plan.

Israel designated Muwasi as a safe zone, but its effectiveness and safety remain questionable as civilians in Gaza face airstrikes even in other evacuation zones.

The Health Ministry in Gaza reports over 17,100 deaths, primarily women and children, and more than 46,000 injuries since the beginning of the campaign. Hamas and other militants are responsible for approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and have taken over 240 hostages during the October 7 attack. Around 138 hostages, mostly soldiers and civilian men, remain in Gaza after a ceasefire in late November led to the release of 105 individuals.