The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Israel has issued evacuation orders for areas encompassing 25 per cent of the Gaza Strip.

“One of the areas designated for evacuation includes localities in the south, namely east of Khan Younis — Al Qarara, Khuza’a, Abasan and Bani Suheila — whose residents were ordered to move further south to Rafah,” it said in a report.

The agency added that thousands of displaced persons arrived at Rafah governorate yesterday, increasing the strain on already overcrowded shelters.

“All possible measures must be adopted to ensure that those civilians displaced can afford satisfactory conditions of safety, shelter, nutrition, and hygiene and ensure that family members are not separated. Civilians choosing to stay in areas designated for evacuation do not lose their protection,” OCHA added.