1.7 million people have been displaced across Gaza since 7 October, UNRWA

CAIRO – 20 November 2023: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees [UNRWA] said that almost 1.7 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since 7 October.

It was added that as of 18 November, nearly 884,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are now sheltering in 154 UNRWA installations across all five governorates of the Gaza Strip, including in the north. 

Nearly 724,000 IDPs are sheltering in 97 facilities in the Middle, Khan Younis and Rafah areas. Nearly 160,000 IDPs were sheltering in 57 UNRWA schools in the northern and Gaza areas as of 12 October 2023, before the evacuation order was issued by Israeli Authorities.

UNRWA said that it is not able to access these shelters to assist or protect IDPs and does not have information on their needs and conditions.

In total, 104 UNRWA workers have been killed since the beginning of the war, according to official statement issued on UNRWA website.

 The statement described the number as the highest number of United Nations aid workers killed in a conflict in the history of the United Nations.

On Friday, at least 200 people were announced dead as a result of targeting UNRWA's Fakhoura School.

Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the "horrific" Israeli shelling of UNRWA's School killing and injuring civilians "which adds to the series of violations against civilians."

The school was sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians, including women and children, so as the strike killed over 200 individuals. Hence, Egypt called for holding perpetrators accountable, and renewed its call for influential international players to protect civilians, and push for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.