Statement: Renewed attacks, starvation & forced displacement: Gaza’s civilians have nowhere left to run as ceasefire talks collapse

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is horrified by Israel’s overnight bombardment of Gaza, which killed over 400 civilians, and injured hundreds more. Hospitals, already on the brink of collapse, struggle to treat the wounded without electricity, fuel or medical supplies.

The renewed bombardments have erased any illusion of protection for civilians in Gaza, who continue to be subjected to relentless violence, forced starvation and systematic deprivation.  

A war on Gaza’s civilians

Israeli strikes have targeted residential areas, displacement camps and more with reports of bodies still trapped under the rubble.

The escalation comes after Israel imposed a full blockade on humanitarian aid at the beginning of Ramadan, cutting off food, water, medicine and fuel.

The decision to cut off humanitarian aid is a grave violation of international law and could amount to collective punishment. Last night’s airstrikes have further pushed Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation to the edge of total collapse.  

The renewed violence has immediate and devastating humanitarian impacts, jeopardizing the delivery of food, water and essential services for the most vulnerable. No humanitarian aid has entered Gaza for 15 days, leaving 2.2 million facing extreme food insecurity and forcing 92% of the population to rely on contaminated water sources.

The complete electricity blackout has crippled hospitals, with over 70% of medical facilities non-functional due to bombardment and fuel shortages.

Continued violence will only escalate forced displacement, already affecting 1.8 million people, further destroy what little infrastructure remains, and lead to more loss of life.  

New Mass Forced Displacement Orders Issued

As bombardments intensify, Israeli forces have issued new forced displacement orders*, demanding that entire communities evacuate immediately to areas that have previously been targeted, are heavily contaminated with explosive remnants and lack the capacity to shelter more people. 

Urgent call to action

The collapse of ceasefire negotiations has plunged Gaza into an even deeper humanitarian catastrophe, where starvation, disease and destruction threaten the survival of 2.2 million people. The international community must act now. DRC urges all parties and the international community to take immediate, decisive steps to prevent further suffering and uphold the basic principles of humanity: 

• Unblock humanitarian aid and restore safe access immediately: food, water, fuel and medical supplies are life-saving essentials, not political bargaining chips. 
• Stop the indiscriminate bombing of civilians and civilian infrastructure: homes, hospitals and shelters are being obliterated in violation of IHL. The right to safety for civilians must be upheld.
• End the forced displacement of Palestinians: ordering families to flee under fire to unsafe areas is not an evacuation. People must be protected from violence and further mass displacement. 
• Hold those responsible for violations of international law to account: The deliberate or indiscriminate targeting of civilians, weaponisation of hunger and obstruction of humanitarian aid cannot be ignored. 
• Pressure all parties to immediately reinstate a ceasefire: Without an urgent cessation of hostilities, aid will remain blocked, civilians will continue to be killed, and humanitarian operations will be severely impacted. Ultimately a long-term ceasefire must be the priority of all parties.