UN urges Israel to call off northern Gaza evacuation order
Dujarric said the same order applied to all UN staff and those sheltered in UN facilities -- including schools, health centres and clinics.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is sheltering more than 60 per cent of the 423,000 people displaced in recent days in the Gaza Strip.
"The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences," Dujarric said.
"The United Nations strongly appeals for any such order, if confirmed, to be rescinded avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation."
A Security Council meeting on the conflict has been called for Friday.