🔗 Share this article

New evidence suggest that Israeli military troops are maintaining control over more area within Gaza than previously anticipated under the ceasefire agreement.

The Ceasefire Agreement and the Demarcation Boundary

Under the first phase of the deal, Israel agreed to retreat to a demarcation border running along the north, southern, and east sides of the Gaza Strip. The boundary was marked by a yellow marker on official charts released by the defense forces and has become known as the "Yellow Line."

However, new videos and satellite images reveal that indicators positioned by Israeli troops in several locations to mark the divide have been placed hundreds of yards deeper inside the territory than the anticipated pullback line.

Government Comments and Advisories

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz—who instructed troops to place the yellow blocks—warned that anyone crossing the line "will be confronted with gunfire." There's been already been at minimum two deadly events near the boundary line.

Upon contacted, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) failed to address the allegations, stating only that: "Israeli troops under the Southern Command have begun marking the demarcation in the Gaza Strip to create operational understanding on the terrain."

Lack of Clarity and Confusion

There's existed a consistent lack of clarity about where exactly the boundary would be imposed, with three different charts posted by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israeli defense forces in the run up to the truce deal that took effect on 10 October.

As of October 14, the Israeli military issued the latest version showing the Yellow Line on their online map, which is used to convey its position to residents in the Gaza Strip.

North and South Gaza

In the north, adjacent to the al-Atatra area, aerial footage from the IDF revealed that a line of several distinctive markers were as much as 520m deeper inside the Strip than was anticipated from the IDF maps.

Video geolocated depicted workers using heavy machinery and diggers to move the heavy yellow blocks and position them along the coastal al-Rashid route.

A comparable situation was observed in southern the Gaza Strip, where a aerial image captured on 19 October showed 10 indicators placed close to the city of Khan Younis. The line of blocks ranges from 180 meters-290m inside the demarcation set out by the Israeli military.

Experts Analysis

Multiple experts indicated that the blocks were intended to establish a "safety area" separating Palestinians and IDF forces. One expert said the move would be consistent with a ongoing "strategic culture" that aims to protect the state from nearby areas it doesn't completely administer.

"This gives the IDF room to operate and establish a 'kill zone' targeting possible threats," Dr Andreas Krieg commented. "Potential threats can be targeted before they reach the military boundary. It is a bit like unclaimed territory that doesn't pertain to either side—and Israel tends to take that land from the adversary's portion not its territory."

Several analysts suggested that the difference between the indicators and the IDF map was an deliberate design to alert residents they are "entering an area of elevated risk."

An analyst noted that some blocks "appear to be placed close to pathways or walls, making them easier to spot."

Resident Confusion and Events

Exists already uncertainty among Gazans over areas where it is secure to travel.

A resident who resides near the interim demarcation in the east part of Gaza City Shejaiya neighbourhood stated that, despite assurances from Israeli authorities of clear markings, he had observed no such markers installed.

"Each day, we can observe Israel's military equipment and soldiers at a fairly close range, yet we have no way of knowing whether we are in what is considered a 'secure area' or 'an active danger zone'," he said. "We are constantly exposed to danger, particularly as we are compelled to stay in this location since this is where our residence previously existed."

After the truce came into effect, the IDF has reported a number of instances of individuals approaching the demarcation. On each occasions the IDF stated it fired upon those present.

Footage obtained and geolocated showed the aftermath of one event on October 17, which the local emergency agency claimed killed 11 non-combatants—including women and minors all allegedly from the identical family. The agency stated the Palestinians' car was targeted by Israeli forces following crossing the Yellow Line east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun area.

The video displayed rescue workers inspecting the destroyed remains of a vehicle and covering a adjacent badly-mangled remains of a child with a light-colored cloth. Geolocation located the video to a location approximately 125 meters beyond the Yellow Line marked on maps by the Israeli military.

The IDF said alert shots were fired towards a "suspicious vehicle" that had crossed the boundary. The statement added when the car failed to stop, soldiers opened fire "to remove the danger."

Juridical Status and Responsibilities

Meanwhile, the legal standing of the boundary has likewise been challenged.

"Israel's obligations under the regulations of armed conflict cannot end including for those violating the Yellow Line," commented a legal expert. "The military can solely engage hostile fighters or those directly participating in conflict, and in such actions it must not cause excessive civilian casualties."

In a statement, an Israeli defense representative stated: "IDF forces under the military command continue to operate to eliminate any danger to the troops and to defend the residents of the nation of the country."

The spokesperson further that the concrete blocks are "being placed every 200 metres."

Context and Fatalities

Israel launched a military operation in Gaza