From the first day of the ongoing genocidal war in Gaza, Israeli occupation forces have relentlessly aimed to fracture the demographic distribution of Palestinians and shift population dynamics across all governorates through repeated forced displacements.
Widespread Displacement During the War
The largest waves of displacement began in October 2023 when the occupation forces ordered Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City and the northern Gaza governorate entirely, labeling these areas as “dangerous” due to military operations. This forced exodus led to massive displacement toward central and southern Gaza.
Population Distribution Before the War
Before the genocidal campaign, Gaza’s population was 2,375,259, according to Gaza’s Civil Affairs Directorate. This included:
-
- Males: 1,204,986 (50.7%)
-
- Females: 1,170,273 (49.3%)
The population by governorate was distributed as follows:
-
- Gaza City: 893,932 residents
-
- Khan Yunis: 463,744 residents
-
- North Gaza: 388,977 residents
-
- Central Governorate: 331,945 residents
-
- Rafah: 296,661 residents
However, these figures drastically changed as a result of the mass displacements initiated by Israeli forces during the war, which began on October 7, 2023.
Forced Internal Displacement
Israeli forces have repeatedly displaced Gaza’s population. By May 6, 2024, after six months of war, over a million displaced residents were forced out of Rafah toward western areas of Khan Yunis and the Central Governorate as the ground offensive intensified.
Even so-called “safe zones” designated by the occupation have been far from secure. Daily attacks on displacement camps in Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah have resulted in massacres and a sharp increase in civilian casualties.
Unprecedented Killing
As of November 2024, the daily reports on casualties reveal staggering numbers:
-
- Martyrs: 43,922
-
- Injuries: 103,898
-
- Missing persons: 10,000
Among these:
-
- Children martyred: 17,385
-
- Infants born and killed during the war: 209
-
- Children under one year old martyred: 825
-
- Women martyred: 11,891
Additionally, 1,367 Palestinian families were entirely erased from civil records after all their members were killed.
Current Displacement Statistics
According to the Gaza Government Media Office, approximately 2 million residents—84% of the population—are now displaced within Gaza.
Population Distribution After the War
Prior to the war, Gaza’s population included 1.6 million children under 18, constituting 47% of the total. More than a year into the war, children account for 42% of the martyrs, while women constitute 27%.
The demographic shifts after 13 months of war show stark changes:
-
- North Gaza: Population reduced to 65,000 from 458,000 pre-war.
-
- Gaza City: Population dropped to 375,000 from 767,000.
-
- Khan Yunis: Population surged to 915,000 from 451,000 due to mass displacement.
-
- Central Governorate: Population rose to 750,000 from 327,000.
-
- Rafah: Population plummeted to 44,000 from 283,000, despite ongoing ground offensives there for over six months.
The genocidal war has fundamentally altered Gaza’s demographic landscape. Israeli displacement campaigns and massacres have decimated northern populations, creating unprecedented overcrowding in southern areas. These changes highlight the severity of the humanitarian crisis as Gaza’s population continues to endure one of the gravest tragedies in its history.
