Israel Employing ‘Geographical Terror’ Tactics in Gaza, Aid Worker Says

Mahmoud Shalabi, representing the UK-based organization, recounted his own experiences of fleeing his home in north Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli war.

Mahmoud Shalabi, a member of Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), disclosed the distressing reality faced by Palestinian civilians in Gaza, highlighting a strategy he terms as "geographical terror" employed by Israeli forces. Shalabi narrated his personal ordeal, expressing the anguish of being displaced multiple times from his residence in north Gaza, now seeking refuge in Gaza City.

“We have been displaced again in the north of Gaza, from Beit Lahiya to Gaza City this time. We are experiencing a new type of war tactic, which can be described as geographical terror,” he said.

"The Israeli army has subjected us to constant relocation for over seven months, compelling my family – including elderly parents, three children, and my wife – to endure a harrowing journey of terror and displacement," Shalabi stated.

MAP had earlier reported Israeli forces' directive to evacuate medical staff at Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah, cautioning that its closure could lead to the collapse of healthcare services in the southern city. The situation remains dire, with reports of intensified airstrikes and artillery shelling in Rafah and Jabalia, prompting civilians to flee amidst ongoing genocidal war.

Farhan Haq, the UN’s deputy spokesman, told reporters that evacuation orders issued by Israel for northern Gaza have “resulted in the displacement of some 100,000 people so far”.

Haq said those fleeing the north are in addition to the nearly 360,000 people that have left the southern city of Rafah.

“We remain deeply concerned about the lack of protection for civilians – and the lack of safety for humanitarian operations,” the UN spokesman said. Under international humanitarian law, he stressed, “civilians must be protected and have their basic needs met, whether they move or stay” and “those who leave must have enough time to do so, as well as a safe route and a safe place to go”.

Earlier, the UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA said that some 20 percent of Gaza’s population of more than 2 million people have been displaced yet again in the past week due to intensified Israeli military operations.

The toll of Israel’s offensive on Gaza continues to escalate, with the Palestinian Health Ministry reporting over 35,000 deaths and 79,000 injuries since October 7. Within the past 24 hours alone, 82 Palestinians were killed, and 234 sustained injuries in merciless Israeli attacks.