Israel abandons Gaza humanitarian zones as strikes intensify

[MIDDLE EAST] Israel has quietly ceased designating areas of Gaza as humanitarian zones since it resumed airstrikes on the Palestinian territory last month, sparking increasing concern among aid workers regarding the safety of civilians sheltering in areas once considered protected.

In December 2023, Israel established a small humanitarian zone in southern Gaza where civilians were advised to seek refuge. The area expanded in May 2024 to include larger parts of southern Gaza, such as Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah, and al-Mawasi.

The concept of these humanitarian zones was introduced to reduce civilian casualties amid relentless bombardment, with Israel claiming these areas would be exempt from military operations. However, critics argue the zones were not fully respected, citing ongoing strikes and insufficient infrastructure to accommodate displaced populations. The absence of international oversight further hindered the effectiveness of these areas.

Until January 2024, the humanitarian zones were clearly marked on maps shared online and dropped by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), leading over a million people to seek refuge there.

Despite their designation, the zones were far from safe. Official reports show at least 28 Israeli airstrikes targeted these areas before January, with BBC investigations suggesting the number may have been as high as 97, resulting in over 550 deaths. The IDF has accused Hamas militants of using these zones as shields and launch sites for attacks on Israeli forces.

Recent satellite imagery and on-the-ground reports reveal that many shelters within these zones have been destroyed or abandoned, forcing displaced families to move continuously in search of safety. Aid organizations report that this lack of protected spaces has exacerbated issues like malnutrition and disease.

Since March, following the collapse of the ceasefire with Hamas, the humanitarian zones no longer appear on maps. The IDF has resumed airstrikes and created a “security buffer zone,” with the United Nations estimating that 70% of Gaza is either under evacuation orders or is now a “no-go zone.”

In meetings with humanitarian agencies, both the IDF and COGAT—the Israeli government unit overseeing Gaza policy—have avoided addressing questions about the future of the humanitarian zones, according to an international official who wished to remain anonymous.

The source noted that Israeli authorities have not indicated whether they plan to reinstate the humanitarian zones, adding that without them, they cannot guarantee the safety of aid workers or civilians within these areas.

The lack of clarity from Israeli officials has drawn strong criticism from human rights groups, who argue that it violates international humanitarian law. Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch’s Israel and Palestine director, called the erosion of safe spaces for civilians a “flagrant disregard” for their lives. “This isn’t just a policy shift—it’s a recipe for further catastrophe,” he said.

The IDF did not respond to requests for comment.

Despite the apparent removal of the humanitarian zones, tens of thousands of Palestinians continue to flock to al-Mawasi, a sparsely populated area with minimal infrastructure, under the mistaken belief it remains a protected zone. Since the ceasefire ended, this area has been hit by 23 airstrikes, according to the UN.

Last week, two Israeli missiles struck refugee camps in al-Mawasi, setting fire to dozens of tents, many of which were home to women and children. At least 16 people were killed, and many more were injured. “Images of children burning while sheltering in makeshift tents should shake us all to our core,” said Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF.

The ongoing strikes on al-Mawasi raise concerns that Israel is systematically dismantling any remaining safe spaces for Gaza’s civilians. Analysts note that these attacks coincide with Israel’s expanding ground operations, which are pushing displaced populations toward Gaza’s coast with few options for escape.

Nasser, a father of four, had sought refuge in al-Mawasi after his home in Deir al-Balah was destroyed last year. “Mawasi was not really better,” said the 35-year-old accountant. “It was crowded, hot, and dirty, with no privacy. Sometimes there were airstrikes there, setting the tents on fire. The Israelis told us to move again, even within the camp.”

When the ceasefire was declared, Nasser’s family briefly returned home, but he now believes there is no place in Gaza that is safe. “We don’t know what to do,” he said. “I spent all day looking for clean water and firewood to boil wastewater. Mawasi is dangerous too—it has been hit 20 times in the last month, and many have died.”

The UN issued a stark warning on Tuesday, stating that Gaza is facing famine due to a total Israeli blockade on aid that has lasted over 50 days. On the same day, Israeli airstrikes killed 17 people, most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, described Gaza as a “land of desperation.” “Hunger is spreading and deepening, deliberate and manmade,” he said. Lazzarini accused Israel of using humanitarian aid as a “bargaining chip and a weapon of war.”

Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, echoed his remarks, telling reporters, “Right now is probably the worst humanitarian situation we have seen throughout the war in Gaza.”