Palestinian Population Grows Tenfold Amidst Ongoing Conflict and Displacement

Gaza Strip: The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics has reported a dramatic tenfold increase in the Palestinian population 77 years after the Nakba, amidst ongoing conflict and displacement. According to Union of OIC News Agencies, Ola Awad, the head of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, reviewed the dire realities faced by Palestinians since the Nakba in 1948. During that year, 957,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homes, with many relocating to the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and neighboring Arab countries. The Israeli occupation resulted in the destruction of 531 Palestinian villages and cities, with more than 70 massacres committed, leading to the deaths of over 15,000 Palestinians. Awad emphasized the ongoing crimes committed by Israeli forces, particularly highlighting the intensified aggression in the Gaza Strip and West Bank since October 2023. In the Gaza Strip alone, approximately two million Palestinians have been displaced, living in precarious conditions amidst co ntinuous bombardment. The reimposition of the Israeli blockade has left many at risk of starvation, with severe malnutrition affecting thousands, including children. Water and sanitation sectors have been heavily damaged, with water supply rates plummeting far below emergency survival levels. The destruction of infrastructure and power outages have compounded the crisis, leaving the region largely uninhabitable. More than 110 buildings have been destroyed, and over 500 housing units have been severely damaged, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. In the West Bank, Israeli forces have demolished over 651 buildings since the beginning of the year, with numerous demolition orders issued against Palestinian facilities. The expansion of Israeli settlements continues, with over 551 sites established by the end of 2024. The settler population has grown significantly, particularly in the Jerusalem Governorate, where the settler-to-Palestinian ratio is alarmingly high. The Israeli occupation's ongoing policy of l and seizure has continued, with more than 46,000 dunams taken in 2024 alone. Attacks on Palestinian citizens and properties by Israeli authorities and settlers have also surged, with thousands of incidents reported, including the destruction of olive trees and other property. These developments underscore the persistent challenges faced by Palestinians as they continue to live under occupation and displacement, striving for survival amidst severe adversity.