Israeli Expansion of “Yellow Line” Seizes More Gaza Land

SAFA – Gaza's Government Media Office said Wednesday that the Israeli military has expanded the area known as the "Yellow Line" to cover approximately 65% of the Gaza Strip, describing the move as an effort to impose new geographic and demographic realities while forcing further displacement of Palestinians.

In a statement, the office said the expansion is being carried out through killings, forced displacement, and land confiscation, calling it a violation of international law and urging the international community, the United Nations, and human rights organizations to intervene.

According to the statement, the Israeli military has widened restricted-access areas along the "Yellow Line," with field data showing they now encompass about 65% of the Gaza Strip, up from approximately 53% previously.

The office said Israeli military vehicles and concrete barriers have advanced in several areas in recent days. In central Gaza, the line was reportedly pushed 300 to 350 meters westward, leveling agricultural land and homes belonging to Palestinian families while placing additional residential areas within range of Israeli military positions.

It added that Israeli forces have also advanced into residential neighborhoods in Gaza City, restricting civilian movement and forcing dozens of families to flee under the threat of bombardment and gunfire.

In northern Gaza, the office said areas along the line have been transformed into open military zones after Israeli forces demolished homes stretching from Al-Sikka Street to Sheikh Zayed Roundabout and installed earth barriers and surveillance towers.

The statement said the expansion has been accompanied by the direct targeting of civilians, warning that approaching the "Yellow Line" has become life-threatening. It reported that 23 Palestinians were killed near the area between July 13 and 20, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed near the line since the start of the ceasefire to more than 1,165.

The office also accused Israeli forces of using quadcopter drones to issue forced evacuation orders, intimidate residents, target homes, and carry out remote demolitions.

It warned that the expansion has severely disrupted access to essential services, leaving municipal crews unable to reach nearly half of Gaza's residential areas. The restrictions have also affected water wells, sewage infrastructure, and key utility control centers, while concentrating hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians into overcrowded areas lacking basic services, raising the risk of a major public health and environmental crisis.

The statement said the expansion forms part of a broader effort to establish a long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza, separate security control from civilian administration, and avoid commitments under the ceasefire agreement requiring a gradual withdrawal from the Strip.

The Government Media Office called on the United Nations, the UN Security Council, and the international community to take urgent action to halt the expansion and pressure Israel to withdraw from the areas it has taken control of. It also urged the International Criminal Court and human rights organizations to document killings and forced displacement linked to the expansion of the "Yellow Line."

The office warned against treating the developments as routine, saying continued international silence would further worsen humanitarian conditions and restrictions across the Gaza Strip. It also praised the resilience of Palestinians, particularly families living in tents and border areas, despite the ongoing Israeli genocidal war.

Source : Safa News