🔗 Share this article

New evidence indicate that Israeli military forces are maintaining authority over more territory inside the Gaza Strip than previously expected under the truce deal.

This Ceasefire Deal and the Demarcation Line

According to the initial stage of the deal, Israel committed to retreat to a demarcation border extending along the northern, south, and east edges of the Gaza Strip. The divide was designated by a yellow line on official charts published by the defense forces and has become referred to as the "Yellow Line."

But, recent footage and satellite images show that indicators placed by Israel's soldiers in several locations to designate the boundary have been placed hundreds of meters further within the strip than the expected withdrawal boundary.

Government Statements and Advisories

Israeli Defense Official the defense minister—which instructed soldiers to place the yellow markers—stated that individuals approaching the boundary "will be confronted with gunfire." There's been already been at minimum two fatal incidents close to the demarcation zone.

When contacted, the Israeli military failed to address the allegations, stating simply that: "IDF forces under the military command have started marking the demarcation in the Gaza to establish operational understanding on the terrain."

Lack of Precision and Uncertainty

There has existed a ongoing absence of precision regarding the exact location exactly the demarcation will be established, with multiple separate maps published by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israel's defense forces in the run up to the truce deal that came into force on October 10.

On October 14, the IDF issued the most recent edition marking the Yellow Line on their online map, which is used to communicate its stance to residents in Gaza.

North and Southern Areas

Near the northern sector, adjacent to the al-Atatra area, drone footage from the Israeli military revealed that a row of six distinctive blocks were as much as over 500 meters further within the Strip than would have been expected from the official maps.

Video geolocated showed personnel using bulldozers and diggers to move the heavy distinctive markers and place them along the seaside al-Rashid route.

A comparable scenario 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 row of blocks ranges from 180m-290 meters within the demarcation established by the Israeli military.

Experts Interpretation

Several analysts indicated that the blocks were designed to establish a "safety area" between local residents and Israeli personnel. An expert stated the action would be in line with a long-term "strategic culture" that aims to protect the state from nearby territories it doesn't completely control.

"This provides the IDF space to manoeuvre and establish a 'kill zone' targeting potential targets," an analyst said. "Possible threats can be engaged prior to they reach the IDF boundary. It is a somewhat like no man's land that doesn't pertain to anyone—and Israel often to take that territory from the adversary's chunk rather than its territory."

Several analysts suggested that the difference between the markers and the IDF map was an intentional strategy to alert residents they are "entering an area of elevated danger."

An analyst said that some markers "seem to be placed close to pathways or barriers, making them easier to spot."

Resident Confusion and Incidents

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

A resident living lives near the interim demarcation in the eastern part of Gaza City Shejaiya district stated that, notwithstanding promises from Israel of visible indicators, he had seen none installed.

"Daily, we can see Israel's military vehicles and soldiers at a fairly close distance, yet we have no means of determining whether we are in what is considered a 'safe zone' or 'a hazardous location'," he said. "We're constantly vulnerable to risk, particularly as we are forced to remain in this location since this is where our home previously stood."

After the ceasefire came into effect, the IDF has documented a number of instances of people crossing the Yellow Line. On all occasions the IDF stated it fired upon those present.

Video obtained and verified depicted the aftermath of a incident on October 17, which the local emergency agency claimed resulted in the deaths of eleven non-combatants—comprising women and children all allegedly from the same family. The agency stated the local vehicle was attacked by Israeli forces after approaching the demarcation east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The footage displayed emergency workers inspecting the destroyed remains of a car and shrouding a nearby severely damaged body of a child with a light-colored cloth. Geolocation located the video to a location around 125 meters beyond the Yellow Line marked on charts by the Israeli military.

The Israeli military stated warning rounds were fired towards a "suspicious car" that had breached the boundary. The announcement noted after the car did not to halt, troops opened fire "to remove the threat."

Juridical Standing and Responsibilities

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

"Israel's responsibilities under the regulations of hostilities cannot end including for those breaching the demarcation," said a legal expert. "It can only engage hostile fighters or those directly involved in hostilities, and in such actions it has to not cause excessive civilian harm."

In a statement, an Israeli military representative said: "Israeli forces under the military command continue to function to remove every danger to the troops and to defend the civilians of the State of the country."

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

Context and Fatalities

Israeli authorities initiated a defense campaign in Gaza