BBC Verify has confirmed that Israel's so-called humanitarian zone, intended for civilian safety, has been subject to 97 strikes since May 2024, raising critical questions about its effectiveness amid ongoing conflicts. Negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are reportedly entering final stages. Established by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in October 2023, the area primarily covers densely populated regions including Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, where humanitarian conditions are dire, with access to aid severely limited and many civilians trapped in makeshift housing.
Gaza Humanitarian Zone Faces Nearly 100 Attacks Despite Safety Designation
Gaza Humanitarian Zone Faces Nearly 100 Attacks Despite Safety Designation
Rising tensions in Gaza spotlight the precarious conditions within a designated humanitarian zone that has suffered nearly 100 strikes since its establishment.
Local media reports indicate that these 97 strikes have resulted in at least 550 deaths, as tensions escalate between the IDF and Hamas following a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead. The IDF asserts that its operations are aimed at Hamas, accusing the group of using civilians as human shields. Yet, humanitarian organizations and on-ground reports suggest that the conflict has led to catastrophic injuries among civilians, including women and children.
The IDF’s designation of the humanitarian zone has been met with skepticism, with humanitarian workers noting a pattern of frequent strikes undermining the very security promised to civilians. An access manager for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Gaza described near daily bombardments that contradict the purported safety of the area.
Residents like Khaled Abdel Rahman express despair over the lack of actual safety, describing daily attacks that instill pervasive fear. With media access to Gaza tightly controlled, reports largely depend on local sources. BBC Verify utilized social media analysis, alongside local accounts, to document these incidents, confirming the deaths of numerous civilians over the past months.
As Israel continues its military operations, the boundaries and status of the humanitarian zone remain confusing to civilians, and the assurances from the IDF have often been contradicted by on-the-ground reality. Humanitarian organizations have consistently warned there are no truly safe spaces in Gaza, as the ongoing conflict leaves no portion of the territory unscathed—provoking urgent calls for effective ceasefire agreements and humanitarian access.
The IDF’s designation of the humanitarian zone has been met with skepticism, with humanitarian workers noting a pattern of frequent strikes undermining the very security promised to civilians. An access manager for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Gaza described near daily bombardments that contradict the purported safety of the area.
Residents like Khaled Abdel Rahman express despair over the lack of actual safety, describing daily attacks that instill pervasive fear. With media access to Gaza tightly controlled, reports largely depend on local sources. BBC Verify utilized social media analysis, alongside local accounts, to document these incidents, confirming the deaths of numerous civilians over the past months.
As Israel continues its military operations, the boundaries and status of the humanitarian zone remain confusing to civilians, and the assurances from the IDF have often been contradicted by on-the-ground reality. Humanitarian organizations have consistently warned there are no truly safe spaces in Gaza, as the ongoing conflict leaves no portion of the territory unscathed—provoking urgent calls for effective ceasefire agreements and humanitarian access.
