GAZA — Over 75,000 Palestinians have been displaced in southwest Gaza over the past few days, according to Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

"Over the decades, Palestinian civilians have been caught up in wars and conflicts far too many times," Lazzarini said on X. "Just in the past few days, more than 75,000 people have been displaced in southwest Gaza," he added.

Lazzarini highlighted that Israeli authorities issued additional orders overnight, forcing more people to flee repeatedly. Many fleeing Palestinians are only able to carry their children or a small bag containing their belongings.

"They are going to overcrowded places where shelters are already overflowing with families. They have lost everything and need everything," Lazzarini said. He further emphasized, "Unlike in other wars, the people of Gaza are trapped and have nowhere to go."

The Israeli army issued evacuation orders late Saturday and early Sunday for residents in the Gaza Strip, with the latest focused on the "humanitarian safe zone" in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. This marks the third time in about a week that the Israeli army has expanded its evacuation orders in Khan Younis, where a military operation was launched on Friday.

Despite appeals from mediators, including Egypt, the US, and Qatar, to halt hostilities and reach a cease-fire and hostage exchange agreement, Israel has continued its offensive against Gaza. The ongoing Israeli onslaught has claimed nearly 39,800 lives since October, following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.

More than ten months into the Israeli offensive, large areas of Gaza remain in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine. — Agencies