The Israel Defense Forces insisted it was “not forcing the Palestinians to evacuate,” but said it had “allowed residents of the camp to evacuate … through an organized and secured point.”

Kheetan, of the UN human rights office, described Israel’s recent assault in the area as a “deadly operation and labelled the whole ordeal as an “unnecessary or disproportionate use of force”

As Israel withdraws some of its troops from Gaza during a cease-fire there, it has turned attention to another Palestinian territory — in particular a city with a history of militant activity.