🔗 Share this article

New findings indicate that Israel's military forces are maintaining control over more area within Gaza than initially anticipated under the truce agreement.

The Truce Deal and the Demarcation Boundary

According to the initial phase of the agreement, Israeli authorities committed to withdraw to a demarcation border running along the northern, southern, and east sides of Gaza. The boundary was designated by a yellow line on maps published by the military and has come to be known as the "Yellow Line."

But, new videos and satellite photographs reveal that indicators placed by Israel's troops in several locations to mark the divide have been placed several hundreds of meters further inside the strip than the expected withdrawal boundary.

Government Statements and Warnings

Israeli Defence Official Israel Katz—who ordered soldiers to place the yellow blocks—warned that individuals approaching the boundary "would be met with gunfire." There's been already occurred at minimum several deadly events near the demarcation zone.

When contacted, the Israeli military failed to address the claims, saying only that: "Israeli troops under the military command have begun designating the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip to create tactical clarity on the terrain."

Lack of Clarity and Uncertainty

There's existed a ongoing absence of precision regarding where exactly the demarcation will be imposed, with multiple separate maps posted by the U.S. administration, Donald Trump, and the Israeli military in the lead-up to the ceasefire agreement that came into force on 10 October.

As of 14 October, the Israeli military issued the most recent version showing the demarcation on their digital chart, which is used to communicate its position to people in the Gaza Strip.

North and Southern Areas

In the north, close to the al-Atatra neighbourhood, aerial video from the IDF revealed that a line of six distinctive markers were as much as 520m further within the territory than was expected from the IDF charts.

Video verified depicted workers operating heavy machinery and excavators to move the large yellow blocks and position them along the coastal al-Rashid road.

A similar situation was visible in the south of the Gaza Strip, where a satellite image taken on October 19 showed ten indicators placed near the city of Khan Younis. The row of markers ranges from 180 meters-290 meters within the demarcation set out by the Israeli military.

Experts Analysis

Several analysts suggested that the blocks were designed to establish a "buffer zone" between local residents and IDF forces. An expert said the move would be in line with a long-term "strategic culture" that aims to protect Israel from nearby areas it doesn't completely control.

"This gives the Israeli military space to operate and create a 'engagement area' against possible threats," Dr Andreas Krieg commented. "Possible threats can be targeted before they reach the IDF boundary. It is a somewhat like no man's land that does not belong to either side—and Israeli authorities often to take that territory from the adversary's chunk rather than its own."

Several analysts suggested that the difference between the markers and the IDF map was an intentional strategy to warn civilians they are "approaching an area of elevated risk."

Noam Ostfeld said that several markers "seem to be positioned near roads or barriers, making them more straightforward to identify."

Resident Uncertainty and Events

Exists already confusion within Gazans over areas where it is safe to travel.

A resident who resides close to the interim boundary in the eastern part of Gaza City's Shejaiya district said that, despite assurances from Israeli authorities of visible markings, he had observed none installed.

"Each day, we can observe Israeli military equipment and soldiers at a relatively nearby distance, but we have no means of knowing whether we are in what is deemed a 'safe zone' or 'an active danger zone'," he said. "We are continually exposed to risk, particularly since we are compelled to remain in this location because this is where our residence previously existed."

Since the truce came into effect, the IDF has documented a series of instances of people approaching the Yellow Line. On all instances the IDF stated it engaged those involved.

Footage acquired and geolocated showed the consequences of one incident on October 17, which the local Civil Defence authority claimed resulted in the deaths of eleven non-combatants—including women and children reportedly allegedly from the identical family. The authority stated the local vehicle was targeted by Israel after crossing the demarcation to the east of the city in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The video showed rescue personnel inspecting the burnt out remnants of a car and covering a nearby badly-mangled body of a child with a light-colored cloth. Verification located the video to a location approximately 125 meters beyond the Yellow Line marked on charts by the IDF.

The Israeli military stated alert rounds were fired at a "suspect car" that had breached the line. The announcement added when the car failed to halt, troops engaged "to eliminate the danger."

Juridical Standing and Responsibilities

At the same time, the legal status of the boundary has also been challenged.

"Israel's responsibilities under the regulations of hostilities do not cease even for those violating the Yellow Line," said Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "The military can solely target hostile fighters or those actively participating in conflict, and in so doing it must avoid inflict excessive civilian harm."

In a statement, an Israel's military spokesperson stated: "IDF troops under the Southern Command persist to function to eliminate every threat to the personnel and to defend the civilians of the State of Israel."

The spokesperson further that the concrete markers are "being placed each 200 meters."

Background and Fatalities

Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza