Danish Refugee Council Accuses Israel Of Shifting Gaza Boundary

The Danish Refugee Council said Israeli authorities are enforcing a policy of protracted displacement in the Gaza Strip by pushing security boundaries farther west. The humanitarian group released findings showing that shifting boundary markings prevent displaced Palestinians from returning to their original homes.

The aid organization said the military boundary known as the Yellow Line is creeping toward the Mediterranean coast. This movement traps hundreds of thousands of people in overcrowded coastal areas where basic infrastructure has collapsed.

Civilians who attempt to approach the demarcation line face deadly fire, the group reported. It described the surrounding environment as functioning effectively as a free-fire zone rather than an established security front.

Living conditions inside the informal tent encampments remain dire. Families face severe shortages of safe drinking water, broken sanitation systems and widespread rodent infestations. The Danish Refugee Council based its findings on 20 focus group discussions with 195 participants across all five Gaza governorates.

Humanitarian operations face tight restrictions on the ground. Movement barriers tied to military boundaries and an expansive dual-use list prevent groups from importing pest-control supplies and sanitation gear. Mandatory re-registration rules imposed by Israeli authorities have also restricted dozens of international relief organizations.

Data collected by the organization shows that 1,090 out of 1,739 active displacement sites lack designated site management actors. The absence of formal management leaves the majority of displaced families without organized shelter assistance or coordinated food and medical distributions.

The Danish Refugee Council called on international donors and governments to apply legal and diplomatic pressure to ensure humanitarian access and protect civilians from indefinite displacement.