The United Nations has raised alarm over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, revealing that at least 142,000 people have been forcibly displaced in just one week due to intensified Israeli bombardments and expanding evacuation orders.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric cited data from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), stressing that the ongoing blockade, movement restrictions, and continuous attacks are severely impacting Gaza’s population of over two million.

"Relentless bombardments and daily displacement orders, coupled with the ongoing blockade on cargo entering Gaza and systematic denials of humanitarian movements inside the strip, are having a devastating impact on the entire population," Dujarric stated.

He further warned that conditions in the besieged enclave are reaching catastrophic levels. "Everything in Gaza is running out -- supplies, time and life," he emphasized, noting that civilians have increasingly limited space for survival as fresh Israeli evacuation orders are issued daily.

According to Dujarric, these directives now encompass 17% of Gaza, equivalent to around 61 square kilometers (24 square miles). "In just one week, 142,000 people have been displaced, and that number is now expected to rise," he said.

He highlighted the dire consequences of repeated displacement, pointing out that "with every wave of displacement, thousands of people lose not just their shelter, but also access to essential essentials such as food, drinking water, and healthcare."

Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza face increasing challenges. The UN reports that Israeli forces have expanded the areas where they require prior coordination for aid deliveries, severely obstructing relief efforts.

Between March 18 and March 24, out of nearly 50 planned humanitarian missions, 40 were blocked—an 82% rejection rate, according to Dujarric. "And today, half of our coordinated missions were denied—that's five out of 10," he added.

Obstructing humanitarian access has serious ramifications, including preventing the retrieval of essential supplies and disrupting critical services such as bakery fuel deliveries, exacerbating Gaza’s worsening crisis.

The Israeli military launched a large-scale airstrike campaign on Gaza on March 18, resulting in the deaths of 830 people and injuring nearly 1,800. The assault shattered a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had been in place since January.

Since October 2023, Israel’s military offensive has claimed the lives of nearly 50,200 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, while over 113,700 have been wounded.