Factbox: What is Gaza’s Al-Mawasi Region Affected by Israel’s Military Actions?

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have repeatedly targeted Al-Mawasi, a large camp situated on sandy terrain designated as a humanitarian zone where the military has instructed hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to seek refuge since ordering them to evacuate their homes.

Here are some key details about the Al-Mawasi region:

• Al-Mawasi extends for 12 kilometers (7 miles) along the coast, from the western areas of Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza down to Khan Younis and Rafah in the south.
• Known to Palestinians as the "Basket of Food," Al-Mawasi is renowned for its fertile soil and sweet underground water, making it especially suitable for agriculture.
• Gaza covers an area of 365 square kilometers (141 square miles), with Al-Mawasi accounting for approximately 3% of the enclave’s total size, primarily consisting of sandy hills.
• The region has very few structures, estimated to be under 100, and had a population of around 9,000 individuals prior to the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7.
• Al-Mawasi has become the primary area for the displacement and refuge of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, who have been ordered by the Israeli military to leave their residences.
• In July, an airstrike reportedly resulted in the deaths of 90 Palestinians, which Israel claimed targeted Hamas’ military chief, Mohammed Deif, during an attempted strike. Hamas did not confirm Deif’s death.
• Israel has accused Hamas of using Al-Mawasi and other civilian areas for military activities, a claim that Hamas has denied.
• In return, Hamas has accused Israel of conducting indiscriminate bombings amid its military campaign that commenced after Hamas stormed Israel, targeting areas including Al-Mawasi.

According to the United Nations humanitarian agency, the population of Gaza, currently 2.3 million, is increasingly concentrated in the Israeli-designated zone in Al-Mawasi. The UN Palestinian refugee agency estimates that over 1 million people are now taking shelter in the region.