180,000 Gazans displaced in renewed Israeli offensive

A renewed Israeli military offensive has forcibly displaced almost 180,000 people in just IO days through to May 25, the International Organisation for Migration said on Tuesday.

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The statement on behalf of the Global Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster expressed deep alarm and denounced direct attacks on shelters, which it said had become “common.”

Meanwhile, a UN spokesperson said on Tuesday that he work of a US-backed private humanitarian organisation tasked with distributing aid in Gaza is a distraction from what is needed such as the opening of crossing points,

“We do not participate in this modality for the reasons given. It is a distraction from what is actually needed (…),” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office (OCHA), calling for the reopening of all crossings into Gaza and more Israeli approvals for emergency supplies.

The GHF began distributing supplies in Gaza on Monday, it said.

Germany's foreign minister threatened unspecified measures against Israel on Tuesday and said Berlin would not export weapons used to break humanitarian law, as he and Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered their most severe rebuke yet over Gaza.

Germany, along with the United States, had long remained in support of Israel's conduct since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, even as Israel became increasingly isolated internationally.