Thu Oct 23 08:32:38 UTC 2025: ## Gaza’s Graveyards Become Last Refuge for Displaced Palestinians Amid Humanitarian Crisis
Khan Younis, Gaza – As the humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza, tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians are finding themselves with nowhere to turn but the graveyards. With homes destroyed and shelters overcrowded, these once-sacred spaces are now teeming with families pitching tents as a last resort for survival.
“Even the land for the dead is now the only refuge for the living,” lamented Sabah Muhammed, a Gaza resident forced to seek shelter among the tombstones.
The situation highlights the desperate circumstances faced by Palestinians after widespread displacement caused by the conflict. According to the UN, approximately 1.9 million people, around 90% of Gaza’s population, have been displaced, many repeatedly.
“This graveyard wasn’t meant for the living,” reported Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary from Khan Younis. “But today, it’s home to dozens of families who have nowhere else to go.” She emphasized that this was not a choice, but a necessity driven by the scarcity of available space.
Residents described the emotional toll of raising families in such an environment. Rami Musleh, a father of 12 displaced from Beit Hanoon, shared the psychological trauma of war compounded by the grim reality of living among the dead.
“Graveyards, once sacred spaces for the dead, are now silent witnesses to a living crisis. No water, no electricity, and no privacy… only the bare minimum to survive,” said Muhammed.
The crisis is exacerbated by the high cost of renting even small plots of land, leaving many dependent on dwindling humanitarian assistance. UNRWA estimates that 61 million tonnes of debris cover Gaza, with families searching the ruins for shelter and water.
Despite a fragile ceasefire, the flow of aid into Gaza remains heavily restricted. The International Court of Justice recently ruled that Israel must allow aid into Gaza, explicitly stating that it cannot use starvation “as a method of warfare.” However, aid is primarily being channeled through the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing in the south, leaving the devastated northern areas largely cut off. The use of graveyards as living spaces underscores the sheer desperation and lack of viable alternatives for displaced Palestinians as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.
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