Shujayea, Gaza Strip – Mahmoud Harzeen is pitching a tent about 200 metres from the yellow concrete blocks marking Israel’s so-called Yellow Line, preparing for his sixth move. Each time the line inches closer, the 35-year-old packs up and moves further back, trying to keep his family away from danger. But every move offers only temporary relief.
The Yellow Line divided Gaza’s territory between Israeli and Palestinian control as part of the October 2025 “ceasefire” agreement. Israeli forces withdrew behind the line, but have continued to move the demarcation deeper into Gaza. They now control about 65 percent of Gaza, according to the United Nations, up from the 53 percent agreed a year ago.
On October 11, Israeli forces moved the yellow concrete blocks dozens of metres westward in Shujayea, in eastern Gaza City. More of the neighbourhood was brought under Israeli military control and Palestinian families were forced to flee again, with Israel’s shifting boundaries further restricting where they can live and move. For Harzeen, who supports a family of 10, the latest move is part of a year-long search for somewhere his family can live.
He can’t remember the dates of each displacement. Instead, he recalled the places, one after another: Zeitoun, Sahat al-Shawa, al-Muntazah. His most recent move barely lasted one night.
After spending time setting up the tent, he slept in it once before Israeli forces moved the Yellow Line forward again, getting too close for Harzeen’s liking. Harzeen described living amid drones, helicopters, artillery fire and stray bullets, with shrapnel posing a constant danger to people sheltering nearby. The nights when the line advances are particularly frightening, he said, recalling tanks, troops and heavy shelling as the blocks were moved.
Israel has continued its attacks despite the “ceasefire”, killing nearly 1,500 Palestinians in the last year. Israel has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians since the war started in October 2023. That leaves little space to pitch tents in safer areas and soaring rent that Harzeen can’t afford.
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