In the midst of escalating violence and bombings in Gaza, Israel has designated a small area in the town of al-Mawasi as a safe space for Palestinian residents to evacuate to. However, questions arise regarding the adequacy of this space, which is smaller than Heathrow Airport, to accommodate the more than 1.8 million Palestinians who have been forced to leave their homes since the outbreak of violence on October 7.
Al-Mawasi, a coastal Bedouin town in the south of the Gaza Strip, is approximately 1km wide and 14km long. Formerly surrounded by Israeli settlements until 2005, it now consists of desolate, sandy terrain. Israel has declared a mere 6.5sq km of this area as a humanitarian zone for evacuees. To put it into perspective, this is half the size of London’s Heathrow Airport, which sees an average of 167,000 passengers daily.
The increasing bombardment of southern Gaza by Israel, following the collapse of a truce, has limited safe zone options for Palestinians. Khan Younis, once considered safe, is now labeled a “dangerous combat zone” by Israel. While Israel claims to have designated safe zones for civilians, residents argue that no place is truly safe. Experts also highlight that the spaces allocated by Israel are too small or lack the necessary infrastructure to host a large displaced population.
Legal expert Bushra Khalidi, based in Ramallah, points out the overcrowded conditions in Gaza, exacerbated by the conflict. She states, “Gaza was already overpopulated… [now] we’re talking about 1.8 million people in an airport.” The congested conditions have led to the rapid spread of diseases such as cholera and gastroenteritis, with limited access to healthcare facilities hindering recovery efforts.
Israel’s declaration of al-Mawasi as a safe space has faced criticism from various quarters. The World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warns that attempting to accommodate such a large population in such a small area without adequate infrastructure or services will significantly increase health risks. The WHO refuses to participate in establishing a so-called “safe zone” in Gaza without broad agreement, necessary conditions for safety and essential needs, and a supervisory mechanism.
A team from Sky News visited al-Mawasi to assess the situation and found a lack of shelter arrangements, such as agency tents or food kitchens. This further underscores the pressing need for adequate support for the displaced population.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, concerns grow over the well-being and safety of the displaced Palestinians. The designation of al-Mawasi as a safe space raises questions about Israel’s commitment to providing sufficient support for those affected by the violence. International attention and assistance are urgently needed to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
