Gaza Herald –The Gaza Center for Human Rights stated that the Israeli occupation continues to commit grave and ongoing violations against civilians in the Gaza Strip, even after the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. These violations are justified by claims that Palestinians are approaching or crossing the so-called “Yellow Line”, a new security boundary imposed by Israel inside Gaza. This line violates international humanitarian law and the rules protecting civilians during armed conflict, as well as the terms of the ceasefire agreement itself.
In its statement, the center reported a dangerous escalation in Israel’s excessive use of deadly force. Israeli forces have been firing directly at Palestinians near the Yellow Line, including farmers, displaced persons, and residents trying to return to their homes or land.
According to credible local reports, over 420 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the post-ceasefire gunfire on October 10, including 151 children and 60 women, with 1,184 injured—most of them in the area near the Yellow Line. The toll continues to rise due to daily violations, including sniper fire, drone attacks using quadcopters, and artillery shelling, all indicating a systematic use of lethal force against civilians, not isolated incidents.
The center’s field team also documented repeated expansion of areas controlled by Israeli forces within the Yellow Line zone. In just three weeks, the occupation has expanded its control from 53% to over 60% of Gaza’s land, moving yellow concrete barriers forward to redefine the restricted area.
Systematic demolitions and bulldozing of homes and civilian properties within the Yellow Line continue. Entire neighborhoods have been razed, reflecting a clear policy to create new demographic and security realities aimed at preventing the return of residents. This constitutes a war crime of forced displacement, prohibited under international law.
The center stressed that these actions breach the ceasefire agreement, which is meant to protect civilians and allow them to return safely—not to establish new military zones or continue occupation under the guise of truce.
It also warned that Israeli officials’ public statements reveal clear intentions to use the Yellow Line as an open-fire zone. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has warned that anyone nearing or crossing the line will be shot, while Army Chief Herzi Halevi described it as Israel’s new security boundary inside Gaza, a blatant attempt to impose permanent military control.
According to Mohammad Al-Khayri, Gaza Center’s field coordinator, “What is happening along the Yellow Line is a clear example of state terrorism. Israeli soldiers are acting in line with public threats from military and political leaders, legitimizing the shooting of civilians in their own areas.”
He added that the political-military coordination behind the killings and demolitions proves this is not random violence but an official, systematic policy that violates both the ceasefire and international humanitarian law.
The center concluded that these Israeli policies clearly violate the principles of distinction and proportionality, and prohibit collective punishment, qualifying as war crimes under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
It called on the international community, the United Nations, and the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities by pressuring Israel to immediately end these violations, fully adhere to the ceasefire terms, abolish the so-called Yellow Line, protect Palestinian civilians, hold Israeli officials accountable for killings, demolitions, and forced displacement.
The center further warned that continued international silence will only encourage Israel to escalate its use of brute force and further destroy chances of justice or protection for civilians in Gaza.
