Authorities in Gaza have rejected Israeli claims that “vast empty spaces” exist in the south of the Strip, denouncing the statements as false and designed to disguise an ongoing policy of forced displacement.

Officials stressed that southern and central Gaza are already overwhelmed, with more than 1.25 million displaced people crammed into makeshift tents without clean water, sanitation, or proper shelter. Areas highlighted by Israel, such as Al-Mawasi and the central refugee camps, were described as uninhabitable, small in size, lacking infrastructure, and often exposed to military strikes.

The rejection came amid criticism of an Israeli map that overlooks Gaza’s extreme population density and the collapse of basic services after nearly two years of war. Local authorities warned that further displacement would trigger greater hunger, disease, and civilian suffering under siege conditions and severe aid restrictions.

The policy of forced displacement was described as a war crime and part of a broader strategy to depopulate Gaza City and the north, amounting to ethnic cleansing. Despite the hardship, officials commended the resilience of residents, particularly in northern Gaza, and urged the international community to take immediate action to halt ongoing violations.