Gaza City Crisis Escalates: Mass Exodus Amid Israeli Occupation Plans and Protests in Israel

Gaza City has become a focal point of the escalating Israel-Gaza conflict, with reports of mass displacement as Israeli bombardments intensify in the southern Zeitoun neighborhood. The Hamas-controlled municipality described the situation as "catastrophic," citing six days of relentless air strikes, shelling, and demolition that have left residents scrambling for safety. Meanwhile, Israeli citizens have taken to the streets in a nationwide protest against government plans to occupy the city, which could displace up to a million people to southern camps.

The Israeli military announced it would resume supplying tents and shelter equipment to Gaza, framing the move as part of efforts to protect civilians. However, the plan has drawn fierce condemnation from the UN Security Council, which called the occupation proposal a violation of international law. In Zeitoun, where roughly 50,000 people reside, municipal officials reported that displacement is already underway, with many families seeking refuge in makeshift shelters like school buildings. Ghassan Kashko, a resident, told AFP that "explosions... that don't stop" have disrupted daily life, leaving his family unable to "know the taste of sleep."

Humanitarian conditions in Gaza have deteriorated to a critical level. The UN estimates that 90% of the population—over 1.9 million people—has been displaced, with widespread malnutrition reported. Gaza’s hospitals, already strained by nearly two years of conflict, have seen severe shortages, and the civil defense agency confirmed 251 deaths from malnutrition, including 108 children, since late May. Israeli forces are accused of targeting civilians seeking food, with at least 1,760 Palestinians killed in such incidents, according to UN data.

Amid the crisis, a 20-year-old Gazan woman, Marah Abu Zuhri, died in Italy after being evacuated for treatment. Her severe malnutrition, exacerbated by blocked aid routes and restricted access, led to a cardiac arrest within 48 hours of arriving in Pisa. The Italian hospital noted her extreme weight loss and muscle atrophy, highlighting the dire consequences of the ongoing blockades. International pressure has mounted, with the UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and Japan issuing warnings about "famine unfolding" and urging immediate action to address the starvation crisis.

In Israel, the one-day general strike has paralyzed major cities, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as protesters demand an end to the war and the release of hostages. Demonstrators have blocked roads and disrupted train services, with slogans calling for a "hostage deal" and an end to the conflict. Doron Wilfand, a tour guide in Jerusalem, stated, "It's time to end the war. It's time to release all of the hostages. And it's time to help Israel recover and move toward a more stable Middle East."

The war, ignited by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has resulted in over 61,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Israel has accused UN agencies of failing to distribute aid effectively, despite drastically reducing the amount of humanitarian supplies allowed into Gaza. As the conflict continues, both sides face mounting scrutiny over the humanitarian toll and the legality of occupation plans.