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Monthly Report on Monitoring the Situation of Internal Displacement in the Gaza Strip – January 2025
Sharing the Monthly Report on Monitoring the Situation of Internal Displacement in the Gaza Strip – January 2025
This report is based on an examination and analysis of the measures taken by the Israeli occupying forces in the Gaza Strip during the large‐scale operation launched in October 2023. It further analyzes data and maps issued by the Israeli military, monitors and evaluates information from the field, and tracks the movement of internal displacement in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the report relies on information from official authorities, international institutions, and local non-governmental organizations operating in the Gaza Strip.
Background
The Gaza Strip is a narrow coastal territory covering an area of 365 square kilometers, located between Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea. Its population is approximately 2.2 million, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world. On September 11, 2005, the Israeli military unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza Strip. Since then, the territory—controlled by Hamas—has periodically experienced large-scale military operations that have resulted in tens of thousands of civilian casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a major military assault against the Israeli army in the areas surrounding Gaza. In response, the occupying forces announced a broad operation in the Gaza Strip, dubbed “Iron Swords.” As a result of what is considered the most violent assault in the history of the Gaza Strip, nearly two million Palestinian citizens were displaced from their homes, hundreds of thousands were prevented from returning to their original displacement areas, and movement between northern and southern Gaza was restricted.
Internal Displacement Movement During January 2025
- January 1, 2025 – 04:00 AM:
The Israeli occupying forces issued a warning to residents and displaced persons in blocks (2220, 2223)—specifically areas (Block 1, Block 2, the eastern part of Block 5, Block 12) of Al-Bureij Camp—ordering them to evacuate toward the designated humanitarian zone. - January 1, 2025 – 01:00 PM:
Israeli aircraft targeted a group of displaced persons as they moved from northern Gaza toward Gaza City, resulting in the killing of six civilians. - January 1, 2025 – 07:15 PM:
The Israeli occupying forces issued a warning to residents and displaced persons in areas (the D3 area of Jabalia and Blocks 763, 762, 761), which cover extensive parts of northwest Gaza City, ordering an immediate evacuation toward the city center. - January 2, 2025 – 04:00 AM:
Israeli aircraft targeted several tents sheltering displaced persons in the western area of Bir Zunoun, west of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. The strikes resulted in the deaths of eleven people—including four children and women—and injured about five others. - January 2, 2025 – 06:30 PM:
Aircraft targeted a tent sheltering displaced persons on Qatar Street in Hamad, west of Khan Yunis (southern Gaza), resulting in three fatalities. - January 3, 2025 – 02:00 AM:
Israeli aircraft struck a house and an adjacent tent west of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, killing four people and injuring approximately six others. - January 3, 2025 – 12:00 PM:
Forces besieging the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza demanded that all persons inside immediately evacuate, effectively forcing a mass, coercive displacement. - January 3, 2025 – 12:30 PM:
The Israeli occupying forces reissued a warning to residents and displaced persons in blocks (2220, 2223) of Al-Bureij Camp, ordering an immediate evacuation toward the humanitarian zone. - January 3, 2025 – 01:00 PM:
Vehicles deployed by the occupying forces in northwest Rafah fired on tents sheltering displaced persons in the Shakous area in Mawasi, Rafah, killing one person and wounding another. - January 3, 2025 – 02:00 PM:
An Israeli aircraft targeted a warehouse sheltering a displaced person east of Deir al-Balah, resulting in two fatalities. - January 3, 2025 – 04:00 PM:
An Israeli aircraft struck the fourth floor of the shelter center at Banat Al-Sabrah School for Girls in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City. The attack ignited a fire in the building and injured approximately seven individuals, including women and children. - January 3, 2025 – 05:00 PM:
The Israeli forces demanded that medical teams, patients, and all hospital staff evacuate immediately, warning that the facility would be bombed if not vacated. - January 4, 2025 – 01:00 AM:
Israeli aircraft targeted security personnel affiliated with a private company known as Al-Aqsa Security and Guards, killing five security members. - January 4, 2025 – 02:00 AM:
An aircraft targeted a house sheltering displaced persons within the humanitarian zone designated by the occupying forces in Mawasi, Khan Yunis (southern Gaza), killing one person and injuring about nine others. - January 4, 2025 – 02:30 AM:
An Israeli aircraft attacked a tent sheltering displaced persons along the Martyrs of Al-Aqsa Hospital Street in Deir al-Balah, injuring approximately six people. - January 4, 2024:
(Note: The date appears inconsistent with the rest of the report.)
An Israeli aircraft targeted a tent sheltering displaced persons near Al-Tawba Mosque in the Al-Burok area in Deir al-Balah (central Gaza), injuring about four people. - January 4, 2024:
(Note: As above, the date seems to be an error.)
An Israeli aircraft struck a house sheltering displaced persons in Mawasi, Khan Yunis (southern Gaza), killing a child and injuring about ten others. - January 4, 2025 – 01:00 PM:
Israeli aircraft targeted security personnel on Salah al-Din Street in Deir al-Balah (central Gaza), killing three security members. - January 4, 2025 – 06:30 PM:
An aircraft attacked the shelter center at Abu Halu School in Al-Bureij Camp (central Gaza), resulting in four deaths and additional injuries. - January 5, 2025 – 08:00 AM:
A drone belonging to the Israeli forces dropped a bomb on the area of the shelter center at Al-Nusairat Primary School; however, the bomb did not detonate. - January 5, 2025 – 02:00 PM:
Israeli aircraft targeted security personnel in the Asda’ area west of Khan Yunis (southern Gaza), killing four and injuring about five others. - January 5, 2025 – 04:30 PM:
An aircraft targeted the storage facility of the Ma'an Center—affiliated with the World Food Programme—in southern Deir al-Balah, killing one staff member and severely injuring three others. - January 6, 2025 – 12:00 PM:
A drone dropped an explosive bomb in the area of the preparatory school sheltering displaced persons west of the New Camp in Al-Nusairat (central Gaza), injuring about five people. - January 6, 2025 – 12:30 PM:
Local authorities announced the death of an infant aged 35 days, succumbing to severe cold inside displacement tents in Mawasi, Khan Yunis. - January 6, 2025 – 01:00 PM:
Israeli aircraft struck tents sheltering displaced persons north of the Kuwaiti Hospital in Mawasi, Khan Yunis (southern Gaza), killing a woman and injuring around four others. - January 7, 2025 – 06:00 AM:
An Israeli aircraft targeted a tent sheltering displaced persons near the entrance to Al-Maghazi (central Gaza), injuring approximately four individuals. - January 7, 2025:
The Khan Yunis Municipality issued a statement declaring that diesel supplies had been exhausted and that water and sewage services had nearly ceased. The statement warned of escalating health and environmental disasters in the displacement camps west of the city. - January 7, 2025 – 07:00 PM:
Israeli aircraft targeted a tent sheltering displaced persons at the southeast of the Al-Nas intersection in Mawasi, Khan Yunis (southern Gaza), injuring about five people, including children. - January 7, 2025 – 07:45 PM:
An aircraft attacked a tent sheltering displaced persons at the northeast of the Al-Nas intersection in Mawasi, Khan Yunis, injuring around four people. - January 7, 2025 – 08:00 PM:
Israeli aircraft targeted a tent sheltering displaced persons in Mawasi, Khan Yunis, causing the tent and adjacent tents to catch fire. As a result, five children were killed. - January 8, 2025 – 11:00 AM:
An Israeli aircraft struck the shelter center at Halawah School in the Jabalia area (northern Gaza), killing three people and injuring four others. - January 9, 2025 – 01:00 AM:
An aircraft targeted an empty tent around the Al-Razi Medical Center in Al-Nusairat Camp (central Gaza), causing the tent to burn and its contents to be damaged. - January 9, 2025 – 12:00 PM:
An aircraft attacked the shelter center at Zeinab Al-Wazir School in Jabalia (northern Gaza), resulting in two deaths and injuries to about four individuals. - January 9, 2025 – 04:00 PM:
Israeli aircraft targeted the shelter center at Al-Rafi'i School in the Jabalia area (northern Gaza), killing five and injuring approximately six others. - January 9, 2025 – 05:00 PM:
An aircraft struck the shelter center at Arbakan School in Jabalia (northern Gaza), killing three people—including a woman and a child—and injuring roughly twenty-five others. - January 9, 2025 – 09:00 PM:
Security personnel guarding aid convoys fired upon criminal gangs attempting to steal aid trucks, resulting in one death and injuries to about three individuals. - January 10, 2025 – 05:00 AM:
Palestinian health authorities announced the death of an infant due to severe burns incurred after falling into a pot of food amid a stampede at a shelter serving food to displaced persons in Al-Nusairat Camp (central Gaza). - January 10, 2025 – 10:00 AM:
A drone from the Israeli forces fired on the shelter center at Al-‘Urooba School in northern Al-Nusairat (central Gaza), injuring about six people. - January 10, 2025 – 12:00 PM:
An explosive device—part of the occupation’s debris—detonated near a tent sheltering displaced persons close to Samoud Camp in the Mawasi area west of Khan Yunis (southern Gaza), killing a child and injuring around four others. - January 10, 2025 – 02:00 PM:
An Israeli aircraft targeted a tent sheltering displaced persons in Mawasi, Khan Yunis (southern Gaza), injuring four people. - January 11, 2025 – 02:00 PM:
An aircraft struck the shelter center at Halawah School in the Jabalia area (northern Gaza), killing eight people and injuring roughly thirty others. - January 11, 2025 – 04:00 PM:
An aircraft targeted a tent sheltering displaced persons near Abu Salim Station in southern Deir al-Balah (central Gaza), killing three people and injuring two others. - January 12, 2025 – 07:00 AM:
The Israeli occupying forces issued a warning to residents and displaced persons in Block (662) of Al-Nusairat, ordering evacuation toward the humanitarian zone. - January 13, 2025 – 04:00 AM:
An Israeli aircraft struck the shelter center at Salah al-Din School in central Gaza City, killing five people and injuring about seven others. - January 13, 2025:
The Khan Yunis Municipality issued a statement announcing that water wells, sewage treatment plants, and desalination facilities had stopped operating due to diesel shortages, posing imminent danger to the 1,100,000 displaced and residents as most municipal services ceased with the onset of harsh, cold weather. - January 14, 2025 – 01:00 AM:
An Israeli aircraft targeted a tent sheltering displaced persons near the shelter center of Palestine Technical College in Deir al-Balah (central Gaza), killing five people—including children—and injuring about four others. - January 14, 2025 – 04:00 AM:
An aircraft struck a tent sheltering displaced persons near the shelter center at Al-Dorra Stadium in Deir al-Balah (central Gaza), killing a child and injuring approximately four others. - January 14, 2025 – 03:00 PM:
An Israeli aircraft targeted a tent sheltering displaced persons west of Al-Nusairat (central Gaza), killing two children and injuring about three others. - January 15, 2025 – 01:00 AM:
An aircraft attacked the shelter center at Al-Furabi School in central Gaza City, resulting in seven deaths and approximately three injuries. - January 15, 2025 – 06:00 AM:
Israeli aircraft struck the aid distribution center at Al-Ahli Club in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, completely destroying the facility and damaging all the aid stored within. - January 15, 2025 – 02:00 PM:
The occupying forces issued a warning to residents and displaced persons in area (D5) (Jabalia), ordering evacuation toward the city center. - January 15, 2025 – 06:00 PM:
An aircraft targeted a community kitchen serving food to displaced persons in Mawasi, Khan Yunis (southern Gaza), killing three people and injuring around four others. - January 16, 2025 – 07:00 AM:
An aircraft struck tents sheltering displaced persons near the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in Deir al-Balah (central Gaza), injuring about five people. - January 16, 2025 – 11:00 AM:
An aircraft targeted the shelter center at Al-Falah School in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood (east of Gaza City), killing four people (including two children) and injuring about thirty others. - January 16, 2025:
A few cases were observed where some displaced persons began dismantling their tents in preparation for relocating to their original homes, coinciding with the entry into force of the ceasefire agreement. - January 16, 2025 – 06:30 PM:
An aircraft targeted tents sheltering displaced persons in the Shakous area in Mawasi, Rafah (southern Gaza), killing two people and injuring around three others. - January 17, 2025 – 06:00 AM:
An aircraft struck a tent sheltering displaced persons in Al-Nusairat Camp (central Gaza), killing one person and injuring five others. - January 17, 2025:
The Palestinian Red Crescent began establishing a field hospital in the Al-Saraya area in central Gaza City as part of preparations to receive displaced persons returning to northern Gaza. - January 18, 2025 – 06:00 AM:
An aircraft targeted a tent sheltering displaced persons in the Al-Qarara area west of Khan Yunis (southern Gaza), killing five people and injuring about six others. - January 18, 2025 – 11:00 AM:
An aircraft struck tents sheltering displaced persons in the Mawasi area of Rafah (southern Gaza), causing extensive damage to many tents. - January 18, 2025:
The Rafah Municipality issued a warning hours before the ceasefire agreement came into effect, advising returning residents to avoid areas occupied by the Israeli forces and to steer clear of border areas due to severe security risks. - January 18, 2025:
Local authorities warned residents of the Al-Mugraqa area and the city of Al-Zahraa not to return to their original homes until further instructions were issued, as the ceasefire was about to come into effect. - January 18, 2025 – 08:00 PM:
The Israeli occupying forces issued a warning to the residents of the Gaza Strip, as the ceasefire was nearing implementation. The warning instructed citizens to avoid approaching the northern and eastern borders, as well as the Philadelphia and Netsarim axes, except under direct orders, and confirmed that movement from southern to northern Gaza remains prohibited. - January 19, 2025 – 08:30 AM:
Massive celebrations were observed in the displacement camps as the ceasefire agreement came into effect. Concurrently, dismantling of tents was observed in the camps in anticipation of displaced persons returning to their homes—especially in eastern Khan Yunis and Rafah—along with the return of displaced persons from Gaza City to northern Gaza. - January 19, 2025 – 09:00 AM:
Israeli forces fired upon citizens approaching the Netsarim axis, coinciding with the ceasefire’s implementation, injuring about seven people. - January 19, 2025 – 10:00 AM:
Several injuries were reported at the Baptist Hospital in Gaza City following the detonation of explosives by the Israeli army, which demolished several houses in northern Gaza as displaced persons had just begun returning. - January 19, 2025:
The entry of aid trucks into the Gaza Strip was recorded as the ceasefire agreement came into force. - January 19, 2025:
Israeli forces stationed along the Philadelphia axis fired on displaced persons returning to their original displacement areas in Rafah, killing three people and injuring about twenty others. - January 19, 2025:
Israeli forces fired on a displaced individual attempting to reach his home on 8th Street in southern Gaza City, resulting in his immediate death. - January 20, 2025 – 10:00 AM:
Israeli forces stationed along the Philadelphia axis fired on displaced persons as they attempted to return to their homes in Rafah, killing a child and injuring about eight people. - January 20, 2025:
Approximately 500 aid trucks—including 25 fuel trucks—were observed entering the Gaza Strip as part of the ceasefire agreement and the related exchange deal. - January 20, 2025:
Road repair works were noted on Al-Rashid Street near the Netsarim axis, in preparation for the return of displaced persons. This work was expected to facilitate the movement starting from the seventh day after the ceasefire took effect. - January 21, 2025:
A significant influx of humanitarian and commercial aid was observed entering the Gaza Strip for the third consecutive day under the ceasefire agreement. - January 21, 2025 – 09:00 AM:
The Israeli occupying forces issued a warning prohibiting residents from approaching their forces. They stated that movement from southern to northern Gaza or toward Netsarim was dangerous, but also indicated that displaced persons could return starting the following week if the ceasefire were implemented as planned. Citizens were also warned against entering the sea or approaching designated buffer zones. - January 21, 2025 – 09:45 AM:
The occupying forces issued a statement declaring that, starting next week, Gaza Strip residents would be permitted to return to northern Gaza. The statement also warned citizens against approaching the Rafah crossing, the Philadelphia axis, and all locations where Israeli forces are concentrated, and cautioned against fishing, swimming, or diving in the maritime zone. - January 21, 2025:
Local sources reported that a total of 897 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip that day, including 23 fuel trucks. - January 22, 2025:
The United Nations announced that during the first three days following the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, a total of 2,442 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip—630 trucks on Sunday (19/01/2025), 925 on Monday (20/01/2025), and 897 on Tuesday (21/01/2025). - January 22, 2025 – 01:30 PM:
Israeli vehicles stationed along the Philadelphia axis targeted a group of returning displaced persons who had gathered to inspect their homes in the Tel Al-Sultan area west of Rafah, resulting in two deaths and three injuries. - January 23, 2025 – 04:00 PM:
Local authorities issued a statement with instructions outlining the return route for displaced persons heading back to northern Gaza. The statement announced that the coastal road would be accessible on foot from Sunday (26/01/2025) via Al-Rashid Coastal Street, while vehicles would be permitted to cross via Salah al-Din Street after undergoing inspection. - January 24, 2025 – 08:00 PM:
Vehicles of the Israeli occupying forces stationed along the Philadelphia axis fired on citizens returning to inspect their homes in the Tel Al-Sultan area west of Rafah; no injuries were reported. - January 25, 2025:
The occupying forces issued another warning to displaced persons, reaffirming previous instructions that forbid movement from the south to the north via the Netsarim axis, and stressing the dangers of approaching their forces and the axis until new instructions are issued. - January 25, 2025:
An influx of families was observed along both Salah al-Din and Al-Rashid Streets as they prepared to transition from southern to northern Gaza in accordance with the ceasefire agreement. - January 26, 2025 – 12:00 PM:
The Israeli Cabinet issued a statement declaring that the occupying forces would not allow the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza due to Hamas’s breach of the ceasefire agreement. - January 26, 2025:
The Israeli occupying forces issued a statement confirming that the previous instructions prohibiting the return of displaced persons from southern to northern Gaza would remain in effect. - January 26, 2025 – 05:00 PM:
Vehicles positioned along the Netsarim axis fired on citizens waiting to return to northern Gaza via Salah al-Din Street, resulting in one death and one severe injury. - January 27, 2025 – 12:00 AM:
The occupying forces issued a warning permitting Palestinian residents to begin returning to northern Gaza on foot via Al-Rashid Street from 7:00 AM on (26/01/2025) and by vehicle via Salah al-Din Street from 9:00 AM on the same day. The warning emphasized that transporting weapons during this movement would constitute a breach of the ceasefire. - January 27, 2025 – 07:00 AM:
The return of people to northern Gaza via Al-Rashid Street was observed to commence, with arrivals continuing at around 08:30 AM. - January 27, 2025 – 10:00 AM:
The entry of vehicles from southern to northern Gaza via Salah al-Din Street was observed to begin. - January 27, 2025:
An elderly individual was reported dead while returning on foot from southern to northern Gaza via Al-Rashid Coastal Street. - January 27, 2025:
Numerous reports of missing children were received among those returning from southern to northern Gaza via Al-Rashid Street, attributed to severe congestion. - January 27, 2025:
Displaced persons returning from southern to northern Gaza via Al-Rashid Street were found to have come across human remains belonging to Palestinian citizens. - January 27, 2025:
Local health authorities announced that 250 displaced persons arrived at a hospital due to exhaustion suffered during their journey from southern to northern Gaza via Al-Rashid Coastal Street. - January 28, 2025:
The continued flow of displaced persons crossing into northern Gaza via Al-Rashid and Salah al-Din Streets was recorded for the second consecutive day. - January 28, 2025:
Israeli aircraft targeted a vehicle attempting to cross into northern Gaza via Al-Rashid Coastal Street, killing two individuals. - January 29, 2025:
Local authorities stated that 80% of the displaced persons who had moved from northern to southern Gaza had returned to northern Gaza. - January 29, 2025:
Local authorities noted a decline in the entry of aid trucks, contrary to the provisions of the ceasefire agreement. - January 29, 2025:
The Gaza Municipality issued a statement reporting that more than half a million displaced persons had returned to areas in northern Gaza. - January 29, 2025:
It was observed that some displaced persons had returned to southern Gaza due to the destruction of their homes in the north and the absence of camps to shelter them. - January 29, 2025:
The Palestinian Civil Defense issued a statement asserting that returnees to northern Gaza were finding no shelter, water, or fuel, and emphasized that ending the suffering of the displaced requires an international decision. - January 30, 2025:
A decline was observed in the number of vehicles and pedestrians returning to northern Gaza via Al-Rashid and Salah al-Din Streets, as the majority had already returned in previous days. - January 31, 2025:
The flow of displaced persons along Al-Rashid and Salah al-Din Streets continued, and the streets in Gaza City and northern Gaza were noted to be reviving with returning citizens.
