Israel has announced that from Sunday it will begin providing tents and other emergency shelter items to residents of Gaza. The military said the aid will help move civilians away from northern combat zones to the south of the enclave “to ensure their safety.”
This plan comes at a time when Gaza, already devastated by months of conflict, faces the risk of another large-scale assault. Northern Gaza City the most populated urban area in the enclave has become the main focus of Israel’s upcoming military operation.
Offensive on Gaza City Sparks Global Alarm
Israel recently declared its intention to take control of northern Gaza City. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the city Hamas’ “last stronghold” and stressed that civilians would be evacuated first to designated “safe zones.”
Gaza is home to around 2.2 million people, most of whom are already displaced, with limited food, water, and medical facilities. Nearly one million residents still remain in Gaza City despite earlier calls to move south. International observers fear a new offensive could cause a humanitarian catastrophe on a much larger scale.
Shelter Supplies to Enter Through Kerem Shalom Crossing
According to Israeli officials, the tents and relief items will be delivered via the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza. The United Nations and other aid organisations will handle the distribution after inspection by Israel’s defence ministry.
Kerem Shalom has become one of the few operational entry points for humanitarian supplies since the Rafah crossing with Egypt was largely closed following Israeli military action in May.
UN Welcomes Aid Access But Warns of Risks
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it welcomed Israel’s decision to allow in shelter goods, but remained deeply worried about the relocation plan.
A spokesperson said, “The UN and its partners will seize the opportunity this opens,” but warned that forcing people to move again could worsen their suffering. The UN has repeatedly cautioned that families living in tents and damaged shelters are already at breaking point.
No Area Considered Truly Safe
Both Palestinian authorities and the UN stress that there is no safe place in Gaza. Even southern areas, where Israel has urged people to move, have witnessed repeated airstrikes and clashes. Humanitarian officials say continued displacement risks spreading disease, hunger, and insecurity among already vulnerable populations.
Uncertainty Over Where Civilians Will Go
The Israeli military did not clarify whether the tents are meant specifically for Gaza City’s one million residents or if people will be moved further south, including to Rafah, a city on the border with Egypt.
Rafah has become overcrowded with displaced families in recent months. Aid groups say there are no resources left to accommodate more people without massive international support.
International Concerns Mount
Global leaders and aid organisations have urged Israel to prioritise civilian safety and avoid mass displacement. Western allies have called for more humanitarian corridors, while regional countries warn that a large offensive could destabilise the entire area. Despite these warnings, Israel maintains that the offensive is necessary to dismantle Hamas’ military network in Gaza City and cut off its last urban stronghold.
Also Read: Gaza Evacuation Begins: Israel Prepares Civilian Shelters Ahead Of Northern Offensive
