UN warns of ethnic cleansing risks as Israel restricts Gaza territory

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed serious concern on Monday over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, citing what it described as an increasingly restrictive operating environment for civilians. According to the office, Israeli forces are treating the so-called Yellow Line—a demarcation that has been progressively moving westward across the territory—as a kill zone, effectively compressing the area where Palestinian civilians can safely remain.

The shrinking of habitable space in Gaza has intensified concerns among international observers about potential forced displacement. The UN body warned that the narrowing corridor available to civilians, combined with restrictions on movement and access to resources, raises the risk of systematic displacement patterns that could constitute ethnic cleansing under international law.

The situation represents a critical phase in the conflict, with humanitarian organizations struggling to deliver aid and provide shelter to an increasingly concentrated population. The UN's statement underscores mounting pressure from the international community on both Israeli and Palestinian parties to protect civilian populations and adhere to obligations under international humanitarian law.

No immediate response from Israeli authorities was available regarding the UN's characterization of the Yellow Line and its enforcement practices. The development adds to broader international scrutiny of military operations in Gaza and their impact on the civilian population.