Amnesty International Urges Immediate Ceasefire and End to Forced Evacuations in North Gaza

Source: Amnesty International / Image: © MAHMOUD ISSA/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli authorities must immediately revoke the unlawful and inhumane “evacuation” orders—essentially forced displacement—issued in recent days to residents of the North Gaza governorate and urgently allow the delivery of essential supplies, including food and fuel, said Amnesty International, as concerns intensify for civilians trapped under siege.

The civilian death toll across the Gaza Strip continues to rise amid relentless Israeli airstrikes, especially in the North Gaza governorate. Civilians have endured constant bombardment and shelling while being deprived of basic necessities critical for survival, such as food and clean water.

On 7, 10, and 12 October, the Israeli military issued new “evacuation” orders to cities and camps across North Gaza, tightening its siege on the region. This represents a frightening escalation in the long-standing campaign of displacement affecting the area north of Wadi Gaza since October 2023.

“The Israeli military has intensified efforts to forcibly displace the civilian population from the north of Wadi Gaza to the south, starting with the North Gaza governorate. Civilians are being forced to choose between displacement or starvation while their homes are relentlessly bombarded,” said Heba Morayef, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

“The world cannot continue to stand by while Israel uses siege tactics, starvation, and war crimes to forcibly displace and destroy civilian life. These orders must be immediately rescinded, and a ceasefire by all parties is essential to stop the cascade of suffering that has gripped Gaza for over a year.”

A year ago, on 12 October 2023, approximately 1.1 million Palestinians living north of Wadi Gaza were subjected to an unlawful mass “evacuation” order, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee south for safety. Since then, those remaining in the north have been isolated by an Israeli military zone, with humanitarian access blocked. In December 2023, experts on famine reported widespread and severe hunger in the area, yet Israeli authorities consistently obstructed aid efforts. The situation has deteriorated further following the recent tightening of the siege. The area’s three remaining hospitals—Kamal Adwan, Al-Awda, and the Indonesian hospital—are now also under “evacuation” orders.

“After a year of death and destruction, it is heartbreaking to hear reports from doctors in North Gaza performing multiple amputations daily, or from families trapped under siege where bodies lie unburied in the streets amidst relentless bombardment. The scenes from Jabalia refugee camp are especially horrifying. For more than a week, residents have been too terrified to leave their homes, even to search for food, fearing they’ll be targeted by drones. It is unimaginable that the international community continues to allow this horror to persist,” said Heba Morayef.

“It’s been nine months since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) warned of the real risk of genocide in Gaza, yet Israeli authorities continue to defy the court’s orders.”

Global leaders must call for an immediate ceasefire to alleviate the unprecedented suffering witnessed over the past year. Israel, emboldened by arms transfers from states like the US, continues its destructive actions in Gaza with impunity.

“In addition to a ceasefire and the lifting of Israel’s cruel blockade on Gaza, independent monitors must be granted immediate access to investigate all attacks. Accountability for the devastation inflicted on Palestinians in Gaza is long overdue,” said Heba Morayef.