🔗 Share this article

New evidence suggest that Israel's defense forces are exercising authority over more area inside Gaza than initially anticipated under the ceasefire deal.

The Truce Agreement and the Yellow Line

Under the first phase of the agreement, Israeli authorities agreed to withdraw to a demarcation line extending along the northern, south, and east sides of the Gaza Strip. This divide was marked by a distinctive line on official charts published by the defense forces and has become referred to as the "Demarcation Line."

But, new footage and aerial photographs show that indicators placed by Israeli soldiers in several areas to designate the boundary have been placed several hundreds of yards deeper inside the strip than the expected pullback line.

Official Comments and Advisories

Israeli Defence Minister the defense minister—who instructed soldiers to position the yellow markers—warned that individuals crossing the line "would be met with gunfire." There's been already occurred at minimum two fatal incidents near the demarcation line.

When approached, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not address the claims, stating simply that: "IDF troops under the Southern Command have started marking the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip to establish tactical understanding on the terrain."

Lack of Precision and Uncertainty

There has existed a ongoing lack of precision regarding where exactly the demarcation will be imposed, with three different maps posted by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israeli military in the run up to the ceasefire deal that came into force on October 10.

As of October 14, the Israeli military released the most recent edition showing the demarcation on their online map, which is employed to communicate its position to residents in Gaza.

North and Southern Gaza

Near the northern sector, close to the al-Atatra neighbourhood, drone video from the Israeli military revealed that a line of six yellow markers were as much as 520m further inside the Strip than was anticipated from the IDF charts.

Footage verified showed personnel using bulldozers and excavators to move the large distinctive markers and place them along the seaside al-Rashid route.

A comparable situation was visible in the south of Gaza, where a satellite photograph taken on 19 October showed 10 indicators erected close to the city of Khan Younis. The row of markers extends from 180m-290m within the Yellow Line set out by the IDF.

Analysts Interpretation

Several experts indicated that the blocks were intended to establish a "buffer zone" between Palestinians and IDF forces. One analyst said the action would be consistent with a ongoing "strategic culture" that seeks to insulate the state from nearby areas it does not completely administer.

"This provides the IDF room to operate and establish a 'kill zone' targeting potential targets," Dr Andreas Krieg commented. "Possible targets can be targeted prior to they approach the military perimeter. It is a bit like unclaimed territory that doesn't pertain to anyone—and Israel often to acquire that territory from the adversary's portion not its territory."

Several analysts proposed that the disparity between the indicators and the official chart was an deliberate design to warn residents they are "entering an area of elevated danger."

Noam Ostfeld noted that some blocks "appear to be positioned near roads or walls, rendering them easier to identify."

Resident Confusion and Incidents

Exists already uncertainty among Gazans over locations where it is safe to travel.

Abdel Qader Ayman Bakr who lives near the interim boundary in the east part of Gaza City Shejaiya district stated that, notwithstanding promises from Israel of visible markings, he had observed none put in place.

"Daily, we can see Israel's army vehicles and soldiers at a fairly nearby distance, yet we have no means of knowing whether we are in what is considered a 'safe zone' or 'a hazardous location'," he explained. "We're continually vulnerable to risk, especially since we are compelled to stay in this location since this is where our home once stood."

Since the truce was implemented, the IDF has documented a series of instances of people approaching the demarcation. On all instances the military said it fired upon those present.

Footage acquired and verified showed the consequences of one incident on October 17, which the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency claimed killed eleven civilians—comprising women and minors reportedly reportedly from the same family. The authority stated the Palestinians' car was attacked by Israel after approaching the demarcation east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun area.

The footage displayed rescue personnel examining the burnt out remains of a vehicle and covering a nearby badly-mangled body of a child with a white sheet. Verification located the footage to a spot approximately 125 meters beyond the Yellow Line indicated on maps by the Israeli military.

The IDF said alert shots were fired at a "suspect car" that had crossed the boundary. The announcement noted after the vehicle failed to halt, troops engaged "to eliminate the threat."

Juridical Standing and Responsibilities

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

"The state's responsibilities under the regulations of armed conflict cannot end including for those breaching the demarcation," said Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "The military can only engage enemy fighters or those actively participating in conflict, and in such actions it must avoid inflict excessive civilian casualties."

Officially, an Israel's defense representative stated: "Israeli forces under the military command persist to operate to remove any danger to the troops and to protect the residents of the nation of the country."

The spokesperson added that the concrete markers are "being placed every 200 metres."

Background and Casualties

Israel launched a defense campaign in Gaza