NPR: Israeli forces have been pushing deeper into Gaza in recent months. At the start of the ceasefire in October, the military controlled around half of the territory, along what is called the "yellow line." Israel's military now controls nearly 70% of Gaza [PALESTINE]

Tents stand amid the rubble of destroyed homes in al-Shujaiya, Gaza Strip, where displaced families endure harsh living conditions inside a new orange zone with nowhere else to go, on May 31.  Anas Baba/NPR

9 months into a ceasefire, Israel now controls nearly 70% of Gaza

July 10, 20265:00 AM ET

By   Anas Baba,  Aya Batrawy 

GAZA CITY [Palestine] — On a small rickety table, under a tent made of worn-out tarps, four friends meet for a game of cards.

One of the older men gripes to the others: "Life is so boring." Like most in Gaza, the group of men are unemployed with no hope on the horizon as President Trump's peace plan, which calls for Israeli withdrawal, new governance in Gaza and Hamas' disarmament, stalls nine months after the ceasefire was brokered.

 Still, the men meet almost every afternoon, about 400 yards from their homes in the neighborhood of al-Shujaiya in eastern Gaza City. But each day, as the sun begins to set, the men have nowhere else to seek shelter and no choice but to return to their bombed-out homes where they hunker down for the night.

"After sunset we put our hand on our heart and just pray," Abu Ahmed Humeid says. "No one dares go outside."

That's because Israeli forces have been pushing deeper into Gaza in recent months. At the start of the ceasefire in October, the military controlled around half of the territory, along what is called the "yellow line."

Israel's military now controls nearly 70% of Gaza, including the area of al-Shujaiya. That's according to comments by Israeli leaders as well as maps indicating areas of restricted access for aid groups that have been analyzed by NPR.

Israeli tanks maneuver around new military posts marked by towering Israeli flags within eyesight of Palestinians in al-Shujaiya.

An expanding militarized "orange zone" 

In mid-March, as the world's attention was focused on the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Israeli troops took control of 10% more of Gaza by designating what they call a new "orange zone" that runs north to south. Israel's military indicated this zone of control in maps distributed to aid groups, which were shared with NPR. Aid groups say the military now requires prior notification to enter these areas. With more than 400 aid workers killed in Gaza throughout the war, aid groups have suspended operations in northern Gaza's orange zone until the situation is fully clarified... READ MORE   https://www.npr.org/2026/07/10/nx-s1-5887357/israel-gaza-war-trump-ceasefire-military-control 

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“It is catastrophic throughout the city. Nonstop airstrikes everywhere, including without prior warning. Almost every moment a house gets bombed. It’s terrifying,” an UNRWA doctor in Gaza City told us. Intensified Israeli attacks on Gaza City continue. People have nowhere to go. No place is safe. This war must stop. CeasefireNow

 UNRWA

@UNRWA

“It is catastrophic throughout the city. 

 

Nonstop airstrikes everywhere, including without prior warning. 

 

Almost every moment a house gets bombed. It’s terrifying,” an UNRWA doctor in #Gaza City told us. 

 

Intensified Israeli attacks on Gaza City continue. 

 

People have nowhere to go. No place is safe. 

 

This war must stop.  

 

CeasefireNow

For almost 6 months, no shelter supplies have been allowed into Gaza. About 90% of people are displaced, living in overcrowded conditions. Existing shelters have deteriorated or been left behind amid repeated forced displacements. Further displacement will overwhelm an already catastrophic shelter situation. Let UNRWA bring in shelter supplies. #UNRWAworks

UNRWA

@UNRWA

For almost 6 months, no shelter supplies have been allowed into #Gaza. 

 

About 90% of people are displaced, living in overcrowded conditions. 

 

Existing shelters have deteriorated or been left behind amid repeated forced displacements. 

 

Further displacement will overwhelm an already catastrophic shelter situation.

 

Let UNRWA bring in shelter supplies.

"Western leaders call this self-defense, the media says it was all on accident." Assal Rad ... "Gaza is: -Hungriest place on earth -Most dangerous place for children -Most dangerous for journalists -Most dangerous for aid workers -Most pediatric amputees -Largest proportion of displaced people

 Assal Rad

@AssalRad

Gaza is: 

 -Hungriest place on earth 

-Most dangerous place for children 

-Most dangerous for journalists -Most dangerous for aid workers 

-Most pediatric amputees 

-Largest proportion of displaced people 

 

Western leaders call this self-defense, the media says it was all on accident.

"It's outlandish that a Member State of the UN system would choose to undo the mandate of an organisation, which is mandated by the UN General Assembly."

The UK, France & Germany urge Israel to abide by its international obligations & ensure humanitarian access. No entity can replace @UNRWA’s critical role. 

We support UNRWA’s mandate & call for cooperation with international partners.

Joint statement on behalf of the Foreign Ministers of the UK, France and Germany

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"There has been excellent solidarity from countries around the world and within the UN to put pressure so that this bill [that bans UNRWA from operating] is not implemented," @JulietteTouma  tells Russia Today. “Our focus is to stay and deliver.”

Recent photo of how Israel targeted UNWRA schools and aid workers in Gaza

Recent photo of how Israel targeted UNWRA schools and aid workers in Gaza

Recent photo of how Israel targeted UNWRA schools and aid workers in Gaza

 

UNRWA’s personnel and services are critical to the success of the #ceasefire in #Gaza. "These are the teams who have reached more than half a million people with food and supplies" since the ceasefire started, tells   @TamaraAlrifai to  @TheNationalNews 

 

UNRWA is committed to continuing to deliver lifesaving services.

@UN_JWFOWLER

tells

@UN_News_Centre

Across occupied East Jerusalem alone, UNRWA provides 70,000 patients with primary healthcare. "It's outlandish that a Member State of the UN system would choose to undo the mandate of an organisation, which is mandated by the UN General Assembly."

 

UNRWA is committed to continuing to deliver lifesaving services

We will always carry their memory in all we do...

 António Guterres

@antonioguterres

 

Even in the darkest hours, @‌UN personnel are a constant beacon of hope and light. 

 

As 2024 draws to a close, I pay tribute to them, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice in carrying out our vital mission. 

 

We will always carry their memory in all we do.

Always, no matter what.... Even Wars Have Rules

Always, no matter what.

 

ICRC https://www.icrc.org/en

The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are at the core of international humanitarian law, the body of international law that regulates the conduct of armed conflict and seeks to limit its effects. They specifically protect people who are not taking part in the hostilities, including civilians, health workers and aid workers, and those who are no longer participating, such as wounded, sick and shipwrecked soldiers and prisoners of war. The Conventions and their Protocols call for measures to be taken to prevent or put an end to all breaches. They contain stringent rules to deal with what are known as "grave breaches". Those who commit grave breaches must be pursued and tried or extradited, whatever their nationality.