🔗 Share this article

New evidence suggest that Israel's military forces are maintaining authority over more territory inside Gaza than initially expected under the truce agreement.

The Truce Agreement and the Demarcation Boundary

According to the first phase of the agreement, Israel committed to retreat to a demarcation border running along the north, southern, and east edges of the Gaza Strip. The divide was marked by a yellow line on official charts released by the defense forces and has become known as the "Yellow Line."

However, new footage and aerial images show that indicators positioned by Israeli troops in several areas to designate the boundary have been set hundreds of meters deeper within the territory than the anticipated withdrawal line.

Official Comments and Warnings

Israeli Defense Official the defense minister—which ordered soldiers to position the distinctive markers—warned that anyone crossing the line "would be met with fire." There's been already occurred at minimum several fatal events close to the boundary line.

When approached, the Israeli military did not address the allegations, stating simply that: "Israeli troops under the Southern Command have begun designating the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip to create operational understanding on the ground."

Lack of Clarity and Uncertainty

There's been a ongoing lack of clarity about where exactly the demarcation would be established, with three separate charts published by the U.S. administration, Donald Trump, and the Israeli defense forces in the run up to the truce agreement that came into force on 10 October.

On 14 October, the Israeli military issued the latest version marking the demarcation on their digital chart, which is used to communicate its position to people in Gaza.

Northern and South Areas

Near the northern sector, adjacent to the al-Atatra area, aerial video from the IDF revealed that a line of six yellow blocks were as much as 520m further within the territory than was anticipated from the IDF charts.

Video geolocated depicted workers operating heavy machinery and excavators to relocate the heavy yellow markers and position them along the coastal al-Rashid route.

A similar situation was visible in the south of Gaza, where a aerial photograph taken on 19 October revealed 10 markers erected near the city of Khan Younis. The line of markers extends from 180 meters-290 meters inside the demarcation established by the IDF.

Experts Interpretation

Several experts indicated that the markers were intended to create a "buffer zone" between Palestinians and IDF personnel. An expert said the move would be consistent with a ongoing "strategic culture" that aims to protect the state from nearby areas it does not completely control.

"It gives the Israeli military room to manoeuvre and create a 'engagement area' targeting potential targets," an analyst commented. "Potential threats can be targeted before they reach the IDF perimeter. It is a somewhat like no man's land that doesn't pertain to either side—and Israeli authorities tends to acquire that land from the opponent's chunk rather than its own."

Three analysts proposed that the difference between the indicators and the IDF map was an deliberate strategy to alert residents they are "approaching an zone of elevated danger."

Noam Ostfeld noted that some markers "seem to be positioned close to roads or walls, rendering them more straightforward to spot."

Civilian Uncertainty and Incidents

Exists already uncertainty among residents over areas where it is safe to travel.

Abdel Qader Ayman Bakr living resides near the interim boundary in the east section of Gaza City Shejaiya neighbourhood stated that, despite assurances from Israel of visible indicators, he had observed none installed.

"Each day, we can see Israel's military vehicles and soldiers at a fairly nearby distance, yet we have no means of determining whether we are in what is considered a 'safe zone' or 'an active danger zone'," he explained. "We're continually vulnerable to risk, particularly as we are forced to stay in this location since this is where our residence previously stood."

After the truce was implemented, the IDF has reported a number of instances of individuals approaching the demarcation. On all occasions the military stated it engaged those present.

Footage acquired and verified showed the aftermath of one event on 17 October, which the local emergency authority claimed killed eleven non-combatants—including women and children all allegedly from the same family. The authority stated the local vehicle was targeted by Israeli forces following approaching the demarcation to the east of the city in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The video showed rescue personnel inspecting the burnt out remnants of a vehicle and covering a nearby severely damaged remains of a child with a white cloth. Geolocation located the video to a spot approximately 125m beyond the Yellow Line indicated on maps by the IDF.

The IDF stated warning shots were discharged towards a "suspicious vehicle" that had breached the boundary. The statement noted after the car did not to halt, soldiers opened fire "to eliminate the danger."

Legal Status and Obligations

At the same time, the juridical standing of the demarcation has also been questioned.

"The state's responsibilities under the law of armed conflict do not end even for those breaching the Yellow Line," commented a legal expert. "It can only engage hostile combatants or those actively involved in hostilities, and in such actions it must not cause disproportionate non-combatant harm."

Officially, an Israel's defense spokesperson said: "IDF troops under the military command persist to function to remove any danger to the personnel and to protect the residents of the State of the country."

The spokesperson added that the solid blocks are "being placed each 200 meters."

Context and Casualties

Israeli authorities launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip