The United Nations has raised alarm over the killing of Palestinians near Israel’s armistice line in Gaza, warning that some deaths may amount to unlawful killings and potential war crimes.
According to data released by the U.N. human rights office, around one-third of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since the October truce died near the military’s designated boundary area with Hamas. The office said the pattern of deaths raises concerns that civilians may have been shot simply for approaching the zone.
Smoke rises from a residential building following an Israeli strike, in Gaza City, May 27, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
The figures, shared with Reuters, documented 453 verified Palestinian deaths between the start of the ceasefire and February 5. Of those, 152 people were killed near the boundary area, including 102 men, 15 women, 24 boys and 11 girls.
Ajith Sunghay, head of the U.N. Human Rights Office in the occupied Palestinian territory, said the available information suggested that civilians may have been targeted based solely on their proximity to the so-called “yellow line” established by Israel after the truce.
A Palestinian woman inspects the damage at the site of an Israeli strike on Wednesday, in Gaza City, May 28, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
“The available information raises serious concerns that the Israeli army is shooting at and killing presumed civilians simply on the basis of their proximity to the so-called yellow line, which would amount to unlawful killings and thus war crimes,” Sunghay said.
He added that civilians often appeared not to pose a threat to Israeli troops and in some cases were reportedly shot while carrying out daily activities or after unknowingly approaching or crossing the line.
Following the truce, Israel marked its armistice boundary with concrete blocks and a yellow line on the ground, while Israeli troops remained deployed to the east of the zone. Hamas continues to control the coastal strip beyond the boundary.
Palestinians inspect the damage at the site of an Israeli strike on Wednesday, in Gaza City, May 28, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
The U.N. said Israeli forces have frequently shifted the markers deeper into Hamas-controlled territory, while Israeli military maps indicate the expanded restricted zone now covers nearly two-thirds of Gaza.
The widening military-controlled area has heightened fears among displaced Palestinians living in tent camps and damaged homes near the boundary, as many worry they could be treated as military targets.
Sunghay said the location of the boundary often remained unclear to civilians.
Women react during the funeral of a person, whom mourners identified as Hamas’ military wing commander Emad Esleem, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Wednesday, in Gaza City, May 28, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
“Nobody clearly knows exactly where it starts, where it ends, and how it moves, and when it moves,” he said.
Israeli officials have described the territories seized in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon as “buffer zones” designed to prevent future militant attacks following the Hamas-led assault of October 7, 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza.
Israel’s military says operations near the armistice line are intended to prevent militant threats. The military did not immediately comment on the U.N.’s allegations.
People carry the body identified by mourners as Hamas’ military wing commander Emad Esleem, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Wednesday, during his funeral, in Gaza City, May 28, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
The ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump has failed to fully halt Israeli attacks in Gaza, with Israel continuing to target Hamas leaders in recent weeks.
Gaza health authorities say approximately 900 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the truce began, although no detailed breakdown by location has been provided. During the same period, Israel’s military says four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants.
Hamas has not released figures regarding its own casualties during the conflict.
