🔗 Share this article

New findings suggest that Israel's military troops are maintaining authority over more area inside Gaza than previously expected under the truce agreement.

This Truce Agreement and the Demarcation Line

According to the first stage of the agreement, Israel committed to retreat to a demarcation border running along the north, southern, and eastern edges of the Gaza Strip. The divide was marked by a distinctive marker on maps published by the military and has come to be known as the "Yellow Line."

However, recent videos and satellite photographs reveal that indicators positioned by Israel's troops in several areas to designate the divide have been set hundreds of yards deeper within the territory than the expected pullback line.

Official Statements and Warnings

Israeli Defence Minister the defense minister—who instructed soldiers to position the distinctive markers—warned that individuals approaching the line "would be confronted with gunfire." There's been already been at minimum several fatal events close to the demarcation zone.

Upon approached, the Israeli military did not respond to the allegations, saying simply that: "Israeli forces under the Southern Command have begun designating the Yellow Line in the Gaza to establish operational understanding on the ground."

Lack of Precision and Uncertainty

There's been a ongoing lack of precision about the exact location exactly the demarcation would be imposed, with multiple different maps posted by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israel's military in the lead-up to the ceasefire deal that took effect on 10 October.

As of 14 October, the Israeli military released the latest edition marking the demarcation on their digital chart, which is employed to convey its position to residents in the Gaza Strip.

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 several yellow blocks were as much as 520m further inside the territory than would have been expected from the IDF charts.

Footage geolocated depicted personnel using bulldozers and diggers to relocate the heavy yellow markers and position them along the seaside al-Rashid route.

A similar situation was visible in southern Gaza, where a aerial photograph captured on 19 October showed 10 indicators erected near the urban area of Khan Younis. The row of markers ranges between 180m-290m within the demarcation set out by the Israeli military.

Experts Analysis

Several experts indicated that the markers were intended to create a "buffer zone" between Palestinians and IDF forces. An analyst said the action would be in line with a ongoing "policy approach" that seeks to insulate Israel from adjacent areas it doesn't completely administer.

"It gives the Israeli military room to manoeuvre and create a 'kill zone' against possible threats," Dr Andreas Krieg commented. "Potential targets can be engaged before they reach the military boundary. It is a somewhat like no man's land that does not belong to anyone—and Israel tends to acquire that land from the opponent's chunk rather than its territory."

Three experts proposed that the disparity separating the markers and the IDF map was an deliberate strategy to alert civilians they are "approaching an zone of elevated danger."

An analyst said that some markers "appear to be positioned close to roads or walls, rendering them easier to spot."

Resident Confusion and Events

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

A resident who resides near the interim boundary in the east part of Gaza City Shejaiya neighbourhood stated that, notwithstanding promises from Israeli authorities of clear indicators, he had seen none installed.

"Each day, we can observe Israel's military vehicles and soldiers at a relatively nearby distance, but we have no means of knowing whether we are in what is considered a 'secure area' or 'an active danger zone'," he said. "We are continually exposed to risk, especially since we are forced to stay in this location because this is where our residence previously existed."

Since the ceasefire came into effect, the Israeli military has documented a series of instances of individuals approaching the Yellow Line. On each occasions the IDF stated it engaged those involved.

Video obtained and geolocated showed the aftermath of one incident on 17 October, which the local emergency agency said resulted in the deaths of 11 civilians—comprising women and children all reportedly from the identical household. The authority said the local vehicle was attacked by Israel following approaching the demarcation to the east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The video displayed rescue personnel examining the burnt out remnants of a vehicle and shrouding a adjacent severely damaged body of a minor with a light-colored sheet. Geolocation placed the video to a spot around 125 meters beyond the Yellow Line indicated on maps by the Israeli military.

The Israeli military stated alert rounds were discharged towards a "suspicious vehicle" that had breached the line. The announcement added after the vehicle failed to stop, soldiers engaged "to eliminate the danger."

Juridical Status and Obligations

Meanwhile, the juridical standing of the demarcation has also been challenged.

"Israel's responsibilities under the regulations of hostilities do not end including for those breaching the Yellow Line," said Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "It can solely target hostile fighters or those directly involved in conflict, and in so doing it has to not cause excessive civilian harm."

Officially, an Israel's military representative said: "Israeli forces under the military command continue to function to eliminate any danger to the personnel and to protect the civilians of the nation of Israel."

They added that the concrete markers are "being placed every 200 meters."

Background and Casualties

Israeli authorities initiated a military operation in the Gaza Strip