U.N. Says Israeli Military Warns 1.1 Mil. Gazans to Relocate South

AP
Palestinians look for survivors after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, on Thursday.

GAZA/NEW YORK (Reuters) — The United Nations said early on Friday it has been told by the Israeli military that some 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza should relocate to the enclave’s south within the next 24 hours.

“The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences,” U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

“The United Nations strongly appeals for any such order, if confirmed, to be rescinded avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation,” he said.

Dujarric said the order by the Israeli military also applied to all U.N. staff and those sheltered in U.N. facilities, including schools, health centers and clinics.