Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of 'forcible transfer' and 'ethnic cleansing' in parts of Gaza, citing evidence of repeated evacuation orders. Israel denies the allegations and states that it operates in accordance with international law and issues evacuation orders to protect civilians. The Israeli military has previously denied seeking to create permanent buffer zones and has stated that Palestinians displaced from their homes in northern Gaza will be allowed to return after the war. The law of armed conflict prohibits the forcible displacement of civilian populations unless necessary for civilian security or military reasons. The United Nations reports that 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza as of October 2024.