NEW DELHI: Israel is planning the construction of a large camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza, according to Israeli officials and regional media reports, as the humanitarian crisis in the enclave deepens amid ongoing fighting.

The proposed camp would be located near Gaza’s southern border and is intended to house tens of thousands of Palestinians who have been displaced by months of military operations. Israeli officials say the facility would provide shelter, food distribution, and basic medical services, framing the plan as a way to manage civilian displacement while combat continues elsewhere in the territory.

Palestinian officials and humanitarian groups have raised serious concerns, warning that the camp could effectively confine civilians and restrict their movement. Critics argue that any large-scale relocation under military control risks violating international humanitarian law, especially if residents are unable to leave freely or return to their homes.

The United Nations and aid organizations operating in Gaza said they had not been formally consulted on the plan. They cautioned that Gaza’s south is already overcrowded and lacking essential infrastructure, including clean water, sanitation, and healthcare, and that establishing a massive new camp would require significant resources and security guarantees.

Israeli authorities have not provided a clear timeline for when construction would begin or how long Palestinians would remain in the camp. The proposal comes as ceasefire talks continue intermittently, with international mediators urging measures to protect civilians and expand humanitarian access across Gaza.

Fighting and airstrikes have displaced the vast majority of Gaza’s population, forcing families to move multiple times in search of safety. For many Palestinians, the prospect of another large camp underscores fears of prolonged displacement with no clear path home.