Since the start of the confrontation between Palestinian militants and Israel, more than 123,000 people have been forced from their homes in the Gaza Strip, according to a report released by the UN on Monday.
The UN’s humanitarian organization, OCHA, reported that “over 123,538 people have been internally displaced in Gaza, mostly due to fear, protection concerns, and the destruction of their homes.”
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.
The UN organization for Palestinian refugees’ spokesman, Adnan Abu Hasna, predicted that the numbers will continue to climb.
He told AFP that the classrooms had electricity and that they received a meal, clean water, counseling, and medical care.
2.3 million Palestinians live in Gaza under an oppressive Israeli blockade that was put in place after Hamas seized power there in 2007.
