Israel's yellow line, a shifting edge of war pushing Gazans from home

Israel's military has been expanding its control in Gaza by advancing what residents call the "yellow line," a military demarcation established under an October U.S.-brokered ceasefire. This expansion has forced Palestinian families, like Assem Dawla's, to repeatedly evacuate their shelters in areas such as Gaza City's Zeitoun district. Residents in at least five locations, including Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, report that Israeli forces have moved these yellow block markers in recent days, triggering new waves of displacement.

"We are taking our belongings out and going to leave the place because the occupation (Israel) has moved the yellow line all the way to Salah al-Din Street," said Assem Dawla.

The Israeli military states its forces are deployed to protect Israel and that the yellow line is clearly marked to reduce contact between troops and civilians. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported a recent Israeli displacement order in Zeitoun forced 30 families from their tents, which were subsequently destroyed.