🔗 Share this article

New evidence indicate that Israel's defense troops are exercising authority over more area inside Gaza than previously anticipated under the ceasefire agreement.

This Ceasefire Agreement and the Yellow Line

Under the first phase of the agreement, Israeli authorities committed to withdraw to a demarcation border extending along the northern, south, and east sides of Gaza. This boundary was designated by a yellow marker on official charts released by the defense forces and has become known as the "Demarcation Line."

However, new videos and satellite photographs show that markers placed by Israel's troops in several locations to designate the boundary have been placed hundreds of meters deeper inside the territory than the anticipated withdrawal line.

Government Statements and Warnings

Israel's Defence Official the defense minister—who ordered soldiers to place the yellow blocks—stated that anyone approaching the boundary "will be met with gunfire." There's been already been at minimum two deadly incidents close to the boundary line.

When approached, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) failed to address the claims, saying simply that: "IDF forces under the military command have begun designating the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip to establish operational clarity on the terrain."

Absence of Precision and Uncertainty

There's existed a ongoing absence of clarity regarding the exact location exactly the demarcation would be imposed, with three different 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 10 October.

As of October 14, the IDF issued the latest version marking the demarcation on their digital chart, which is employed to communicate its stance to residents in Gaza.

North and South Areas

In the north, close to the al-Atatra neighbourhood, aerial footage from the Israeli military revealed that a line of several yellow markers were as much as 520m further within the territory than would have been anticipated from the IDF maps.

Video verified showed workers using heavy machinery and excavators to relocate the heavy distinctive markers and place them along the coastal al-Rashid route.

A similar scenario was observed in the south of Gaza, where a satellite photograph captured on 19 October revealed 10 markers placed close to the urban area of Khan Younis. The line of blocks extends between 180m-290 meters inside the Yellow Line set out by the Israeli military.

Experts Interpretation

Several experts suggested that the blocks were designed to establish a "safety area" between Palestinians and Israeli personnel. An expert stated the move would be consistent with a ongoing "strategic culture" that aims to protect Israel from nearby territories it doesn't completely control.

"This gives the IDF space to manoeuvre and establish a 'kill zone' against possible threats," an analyst said. "Possible threats can be engaged before they approach the IDF boundary. It is a bit like no man's land that doesn't belong to anyone—and Israeli authorities often to take that territory from the adversary's portion rather than its own."

Three experts suggested that the difference between the indicators and the IDF map was an deliberate design to warn residents they are "approaching an area of increased danger."

An analyst said that some blocks "appear to be placed close to roads or barriers, making them more straightforward to identify."

Resident Uncertainty and Events

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

A resident living lives near the temporary boundary in the east section of Gaza City Shejaiya district stated that, notwithstanding assurances from Israel of visible markings, he had seen no such markers installed.

"Daily, we can observe Israel's military vehicles and personnel at a relatively nearby range, yet we have no way of knowing whether we are in what is deemed a 'secure area' or 'an active danger zone'," he explained. "We are constantly vulnerable to danger, particularly since we are compelled to stay in this location since this is where our residence previously stood."

After the ceasefire came into effect, the Israeli military has reported a series of cases of individuals crossing the Yellow Line. On all instances the IDF said it fired upon those involved.

Video acquired and verified showed the aftermath of a incident on October 17, which the local Civil Defence authority said resulted in the deaths of eleven non-combatants—comprising females and children reportedly allegedly from the identical household. The authority stated the local vehicle was attacked by Israel after approaching the Yellow Line east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The video displayed emergency workers examining the destroyed remains of a car and covering a adjacent severely damaged body of a minor with a white sheet. Geolocation placed the video to a location around 125 meters beyond the Yellow Line marked on maps by the IDF.

The Israeli military said alert rounds were fired towards a "suspicious vehicle" that had breached the line. The statement noted after the car failed to halt, soldiers opened fire "to remove the threat."

Legal Status and Obligations

Meanwhile, the juridical status of the boundary has also been questioned.

"Israel's responsibilities under the regulations of armed conflict do not end including for those breaching the Yellow Line," commented Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "The military can only engage hostile combatants or those actively participating in conflict, and in so doing it must not cause excessive non-combatant harm."

In a statement, an Israel's defense representative stated: "IDF troops under the Southern Command persist to function to remove every threat to the personnel and to protect the residents of the State of the country."

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

Context and Casualties

Israeli authorities launched a military campaign in Gaza