London, 8th June 2026 – Netanyahu’s order to the IDF to seize control of at least 70% of the Gaza Strip is an egregious violation of the so-called ‘ceasefire’ that Israel has violated more than 3,000 times since October. Increasing Israeli occupation of Gaza has gone unchecked and the so-called ‘yellow line’ has continually expanded, with Israeli soldiers operating an open-fire policy on any Palestinians who find themselves within the no man’s land, most of whom are in their own neighbourhoods.
In moving the ‘yellow line’ forward, Israel is deliberately forcing Palestinians from their homes as part of their ethnic cleansing policies. This will ensure a death sentence for many Palestinians in Gaza who are already faced with extreme overcrowding, food shortages, vermin-infested shelters, and displacement. Israel’s consistent encroachment of territory in Gaza is an intentional re-occupation plan that will ultimately solidify the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the unlawful Israeli occupation of Gaza.
This use of the occupied ‘yellow line’ as a free fire zone for Israeli soldiers is an abhorrent violation of human rights and a further example of Israel rendering Palestinians as human target practice. As has been asserted by the UN Human Rights Commissioner, Israeli claims of ‘self-defence’ in their operating of the ‘yellow line’ is without any legal basis.
As Israel deepens its assault on Lebanon and annexation of the West Bank, the humanitarian conditions in Gaza are going increasingly un-noticed, with Israel forcing increasingly dire conditions in the overcrowded Strip. Food and medical supplies remain scarce, and diseases and infestation are spreading. Israeli-backed militias are also contributing to worsening conditions.
Israeli forces have systematically destroyed Gaza, and Netanyahu’s order of 70% Israeli occupation would result in the 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza living in less than a third of the original territory and lead to ultimately uninhabitable conditions.
Órlaith Roe, ICJP’s Public Affairs and Communications Officer, said:
“There is no such thing as ‘voluntary emigration’. What Israel is suggesting is the ethnic cleansing of a Palestinian population from an area that has already been systematically destroyed. Netanyahu did not stop at 50% or 60%, and he will not stop at 70%.
Israel has made its intentions very clear: it will not stop until it has forcibly removed every Palestinian from Gaza; and what is truly remarkable is the response of governments such as the UK who remain indifferent to Israel’s open declarations of ethnic cleansing.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
- For more information, to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact the ICJP news desk at [email protected].
Image: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit via Wikimedia Commons
