BBC Verify finds nearly 100 strikes in Gaza's 'humanitarian zone'

BBC Verify analysis shows that since May, the Israeli military has asked people to go to “safe” areas of Gaza, which have been attacked 97 times.

The findings come as ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas appear to be on the verge of a breakthrough. Qatari mediators said talks were in the final stages, raising hopes of a deal soon.

The “Humanitarian Zone” was originally established by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in October 2023 to “Protect” residents “keep innocent civilians from harm.”

On May 6, 2024, the IDF significantly expanded the area to include the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah.

The region, mostly a narrow strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea, is densely populated, with more than a million people estimated to live there, according to international humanitarian organizations. Many live in tents with limited infrastructure and limited access to assistance.

In a statement to BBC Verify, the IDF said it was targeting Hamas fighters operating in the “humanitarian zone” and accused the group of violating international law by “exploiting” civilians as human shields and firing rockets from the area. .

Israel launched an operation to destroy Hamas in response to an attack on the organization on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage.

The conflict has caused widespread damage to infrastructure across Gaza, with satellite images showing Israeli attacks leveling the area. The Hamas-run health ministry also said more than 46,600 people have been killed in the enclave since the war began.

BBC verify analysis shows that attacks in “humanitarian areas” have intensified since May 2024, with at least 22 attacks recorded so far this month.

Local media reported that more than 550 people had been killed in 97 attacks charted by BBC Verify.

BBC verify was unable to confirm that all incidents were the result of an IDF attack. Israeli military officials have publicly acknowledged 28 attacks since May 6, but have not confirmed involvement in the other attacks recorded by BBC Verify.

Gavin Kelleher, the Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) access manager in Gaza, said there were “almost daily” attacks in the area, including from Israeli ships and quadcopters or small drones. .

He added that “despite (Israel's) unilateral designation of it as 'humanitarian,' violent fires regularly break out in the area.”

“The Israeli military seems keen to maintain the illusion of a humanitarian zone that still has a certain size, but which could be subject to an 'evacuation order' and be targeted at any time,” Kelleher said.

Khaled Abdel Rahman, a resident of the area, told the BBC that residents were bombed every day, often causing casualties.

“We were displaced to Khan Younis because it was designated as a safe zone, but in fact we found nothing but insecurity here,” Mr Rahman said. “We were deprived of a real sense of security, Fear dominates our lives.”

as Israel does not allow foreign journalists to enter Gaza – As well as highly controlled, military-escorted travel, international media, including the BBC, rely on images collected by Palestinian journalists and Gaza residents.

To track attacks within the IDF's “humanitarian zone”, BBC Verify monitored Palestinian social media channels as well as official IDF channels on Instagram, Telegram and X. Attack reports include verified images from within the boundaries of the area, which are then cross-referenced with local information. Media reports determine the number of reported deaths.

It is important to note that the death toll cannot be verified based solely on videos and social media reports. BBC verification analysis excluded reports of deaths because there were no verifiable images confirming the incident occurred within the boundaries of the “humanitarian zone” as defined by the Israel Defense Forces.

BBC verify reviewed more than 300 videos and photos posted in the “humanitarian zone” since May. While it was not always possible to distinguish fighters from civilians, videos showed dozens of people, including women and children, being rescued from the rubble. Some looked lifeless, others suffered severe burns or severe limb injuries, along with collapsed buildings, destroyed tents and burned-out cars.

Seven recorded attacks reportedly killed 20 or more people, the deadliest of which occurred on July 13, resulting in More than 90 people diedAccording to the Gaza Ministry of Health, first responders and medical personnel.

The Israel Defense Forces later said Hamas military chief Mohammed Deifone of the deceased. Deif is accused of being one of the people responsible for planning the October 7 attack.

There were 9 attacks within 100m of the Al-Aqsa hospital building in Deir el-Balah and 4 attacks within 150m of the hospital. Nasser Medical Complex In Khan Yunis.

The IDF told BBC Verify that the attack was “targeting terrorists and terrorist infrastructure, including rocket launchers, weapons warehouses and manufacturing sites, combat apartments, underground infrastructure, combat headquarters and terrorist hideouts”.

They also provided links to six previously published statements about Hamas fighters operating in the “humanitarian zone.”

Residents of the area also live with continued uncertainty. Including evacuation notices, the boundaries of the “humanitarian zone” have changed 20 times, ranging from about 7 square kilometers (2.7 square miles) when it was first introduced to a maximum of 72 square kilometers (27.8 square miles). .

The IDF said the evacuation notice “does not constitute a reduction of the humanitarian zone. Residents will return once the danger has passed.” But it's unclear how residents know it's safe to return, and the IDF has made this clear only twice in social media posts. BBC verify's statistics do not include strikes occurring in areas where evacuation notices have been issued.

Although the Israeli military avoids using the term “safe zone,” its statements have led civilians to interpret it as a “humanitarian zone.” Language in the IDF evacuation notice told civilians: For example, this one was released in mid-December – “For your own safety, move immediately west to the humanitarian zone.”

It also described the area as “designated for humanitarian assistance and shelter as part of the IDF's ongoing efforts to protect unaffected populations.”

but United Nations and international humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza Said there is no such thing as a “safe zone” This is enforced unilaterally.

“We have said it many times. There are no safe zones in Gaza. No place is safe. No one is safe. No place is immune,” said Juliette Touma of UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees.

Additional reporting by Paul Brown.