Compelled to Flee: Cycles of Israeli Forced Displacement of Palestinians

Report by Oxfam | 2024

This report outlines the decades-long history of forced displacement of Palestinians under Israeli policies. It emphasizes that the current humanitarian crisis, particularly in Gaza, is part of a broader, systematic pattern of dispossession and displacement. The key points include:

1. Ongoing Displacement: The report highlights that the forced displacement of Palestinians began during the British Mandate, intensified during the 1948 Nakba, and continues to this day, affecting millions of Palestinians. Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza since 1967 has been marked by ongoing expulsions, home demolitions, and settlement expansions.
2. Gaza Crisis: Israel's military actions in Gaza, especially post-October 2023, have exacerbated the displacement crisis. Over 1.7 million people in Gaza, nearly 75% of the population, have been forcibly displaced due to airstrikes and ground invasions, with widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure such as homes, hospitals, and essential services like water and electricity. The report labels these actions as possible violations of international humanitarian law, including forcible transfers and deportations, which may constitute war crimes.
3. Impact on Civilians: Civilians, especially women and children, bear the brunt of these actions, facing food shortages, lack of medical care, and unsafe living conditions. The report documents personal accounts from displaced individuals who describe life-threatening challenges during their displacement, including threats to food security, sanitation, and medical care.
4. Settler Violence in the West Bank: The report also notes a sharp increase in settler violence in the West Bank, further contributing to the displacement of Palestinian communities. This violence is often met with impunity, further exacerbating the vulnerability of Palestinians in these areas.
5. International Law: The report highlights that Israel’s actions violate multiple international laws, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits forcible transfers and deportations. It calls on the international community to act to protect civilians, prevent further displacement, and ensure the right of return for displaced Palestinians.

Another day here in the north of Gaza, and I can guarantee that 99% of families here cannot find anything to eat. You know what is hard and difficult when your children are crying out, crying from hunger, and you don’t have anything to feed them. The markets here are empty, and you don’t find anything to buy. Even if you find anything, it’s only rice and way too expensive. We still ask ourselves what we did as civilians… to deserve to live in hunger. If we do not die from bombing, we will die from hunger. - Jomana Elkhalili, Oxfam Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Assistant, northern Gaza

You can read the full report here.