Over one million people in the Gaza Strip have been displaced within the last week due to ongoing Israeli bombardment and the threat of a ground attack against Hamas commanders, as reported by the UN on Sunday.

Israel declared war on the Islamist group following an attack by fighters who breached the fortified border, resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 people, primarily civilians.

Seven days of continuous bombing targeted at those responsible for the attack have led to the destruction of neighborhoods and the deaths of at least 2,450 people in the Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were ordinary Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

As Israel seeks to avenge the worst attack in its history, the Arab League and African Union have issued warnings that the invasion could lead to “genocide.”

There are also concerns about the security implications of deploying troops into the densely populated enclave.

Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, stated, “No one can guarantee the control of the situation and the non-expansion of the conflicts” if Israel sends its soldiers into Gaza.

The United States, which has unequivocally supported Israel, is worried about the spread of violence and has deployed two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean as a deterrent.

The US is also concerned about Iran’s potential involvement.

Israel has assembled thousands of troops and heavy weaponry in the southern desert of the country, awaiting the go-ahead to enter northern Gaza.

The Israeli military has instructed 1.1 million Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip, nearly half of the population, to move to the southern part for safety.

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Israel has been criticized by aid agencies, including the UN and ICRC, and foreign governments for requesting Gazans to leave their homes and accused of inflicting collective punishment on ordinary people.

The UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees reported that more than one million people have been displaced in the first week of the conflict.

Power outages are also a growing concern, as they threaten to cripple essential life-support systems, from sea water desalination plants to food refrigeration and hospital incubators.

Pope Francis has called for humanitarian corridors in Gaza and urged the protection of civilians, especially children, the sick, the elderly, and women.

Gazans are effectively trapped, with Israeli-controlled crossings closed, and the border with Egypt has been shut in the south.

There are also concerns about the safety of the approximately 120 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has continued to evacuate southern towns near Gaza that were targeted in the attacks by Hamas. Buses have been transporting families to hotels in Jerusalem and the Red Sea resort city of Eilat.

Planeloads of Israelis from around the world have returned to join the conflict, with emotions ranging from grief to fury and a strong desire to punish Hamas.