Strikes Continue to Plague Gaza's 'Humanitarian Zone' Amid Ceasefire Talks

Despite being labeled a "humanitarian zone," Gaza has faced nearly 100 strikes, causing casualties and destruction, as negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas advance.

Almost 100 aerial and artillery strikes have been recorded in Gaza's so-called "humanitarian zone," which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) designated in October 2023 for resident safety. BBC Verify's analysis shows that, since then, these attacks have intensified, coinciding with ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with international mediators indicating that discussions are in their concluding phases.

The humanitarian area was established by the IDF to safeguard civilians, especially after the heightened conflict that erupted following Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023. This recent expansion of the zone now encompasses densely populated regions like Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. Reports indicate that over a million residents live in these regions, facing dire conditions with limited access to necessities.

In response to queries from BBC Verify, the IDF asserted they are targeting Hamas militants utilizing the humanitarian zone as a base of operations, accusing the group of exploiting civilians as human shields. A series of recent attacks have resulted in significant civilian casualties, with local media estimating that over 550 people have died in 97 recorded strikes, although the IDF has confirmed involvement in only a portion of these incidents.

Gavin Kelleher from the Norwegian Refugee Council reported near-constant bombardments within the zone, with various types of weaponry leading to considerable destruction despite the area being labeled as humanitarian. Residents like Khaled Abdel Rahman expressed frustration, stating that rather than safety, they are met with instability and fear.

As Israel restricts access to foreign journalists, the BBC and other outlets rely heavily on reports and imagery from local journalists and civilians to document the situation. An analysis of more than 300 pieces of social media content since May indicates that the strikes have often resulted in civilian injuries and fatalities, including many women and children.

Strikingly, the designated humanitarian area has fluctuated in size — at times expanding dramatically and incorporating critical zones near medical facilities. Although Israeli officials argue that evacuation notices do not diminish the humanitarian area's status, uncertainty remains rife among residents who question how and when it is safe to return.

International monitoring organizations underscore the non-existence of a genuinely safe zone amid the ongoing violence, with experts like Juliette Touma from the UN asserting that "no place is safe" in Gaza, contradicting the rhetoric of safety efforts proposed by the Israeli military.