Since the start of the confrontation between Palestinian militants and Israel, more than 123,000 people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip, according to a report released by the UN on Monday.
“Over 123,538 people, have been internally displaced in Gaza, mostly due to fear, protection concerns and the destruction of their homes,” said the UN’s humanitarian agency, OCHA, with more than 73,000 sheltering in schools.
According to OCHA, about 73,000 people are taking refuge in schools, some of which have been classified as emergency shelters.
Since Saturday, when Hamas militants carried out fatal attacks within Israel and launched thousands of rockets at it, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on Gaza.
Adnan Abu Hasna, a spokesman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), said he expected the numbers to rise further.
“There’s electricity in these schools, we provide them with a meal, clean water, psychological support and medical treatment,” he told AFP.
Gaza is home to 2.3 million Palestinians, who have lived under a crippling Israeli blockade imposed after Hamas took power in 2007.
