Israel's new evacuation order in Gaza affects 300,000 civilians: UNRWA

Gaza, May 12: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said that the new evacuation order by the Israeli army has affected nearly 300,000 people in the Gaza Strip.

"We're extremely concerned these evacuation orders have come both towards central Rafah and Jabalia in northern Gaza," the agency said on Saturday on social media platform X, mentioning that around 150,000 people have fled Rafah so far since Monday in search of safety, while there is no safe place in the enclave.

Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli army ordered further evacuation of Rafah, citing upcoming military operations targeting Hamas militants in those areas, Xinhua news agency reported.

The UNRWA noted that "all decisions have a real impact on people here on the ground, especially children," emphasising the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the territory has risen to 34,971, according to the Hamas-run health authorities on Saturday.

During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 28 Palestinians and wounded 69 others in the coastal enclave, bringing the total death toll to 34,971 and injuries to 78,641 since the current conflict broke out on October 7, 2023, according to a statement.