🔗 Share this article

New findings suggest that Israel's defense forces are maintaining control over a larger territory inside the Gaza Strip than previously expected under the ceasefire deal.

The Ceasefire Deal and the Yellow Boundary

Under the first phase of the agreement, Israel committed to retreat to a boundary border running along the northern, south, and eastern edges of the Gaza Strip. This boundary was designated by a yellow marker on official charts released by the military and has become known as the "Demarcation Line."

However, recent footage and satellite photographs reveal that indicators placed by Israeli troops in several areas to mark the boundary have been set several hundreds of yards further inside the territory than the anticipated withdrawal line.

Government Statements and Warnings

Israeli Defence Official the defense minister—who instructed troops to place the distinctive markers—warned that individuals crossing the boundary "would be met with fire." There's been already occurred at minimum two deadly incidents near the demarcation line.

Upon approached, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) failed to respond to the allegations, stating only that: "Israeli forces under the military command have begun designating the demarcation in the Gaza to create operational understanding on the ground."

Absence of Clarity and Confusion

There has been a consistent lack of clarity about the exact location exactly the demarcation would be established, with three different charts published by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israeli defense forces in the run up to the ceasefire agreement that took effect on 10 October.

On October 14, the IDF issued the most recent version showing the demarcation on their online map, which is used to communicate its stance to people in Gaza.

North and Southern Areas

In the north, close to the al-Atatra neighbourhood, drone footage from the Israeli military revealed that a line of six yellow markers were as much as 520m deeper inside the Strip than was anticipated from the IDF charts.

Footage geolocated depicted personnel operating heavy machinery and diggers to relocate the heavy distinctive markers and place them along the seaside al-Rashid road.

A comparable scenario was observed in southern the Gaza Strip, where a aerial photograph taken on October 19 revealed 10 markers placed near the city of Khan Younis. The row of markers ranges between 180 meters-290 meters inside the Yellow Line established by the IDF.

Experts Interpretation

Multiple analysts suggested that the blocks were intended to create a "safety area" between local residents and IDF personnel. An expert stated the move would be in line with a long-term "policy approach" that aims to insulate Israel from adjacent territories it does not completely control.

"It gives the IDF space to operate and establish a 'engagement area' targeting possible threats," an analyst said. "Possible targets can be engaged prior to they approach the military perimeter. It is a bit like no man's land that doesn't pertain to anyone—and Israel tends to acquire that land from the opponent's portion rather than its territory."

Three experts suggested that the difference separating the markers and the official map was an intentional design to alert civilians they are "entering an zone of increased risk."

Noam Ostfeld said that some markers "seem to be placed close to pathways or walls, making them more straightforward to identify."

Civilian Confusion and Events

There is already confusion within residents over areas where it is safe to go.

A resident who lives close to the interim demarcation in the east part of Gaza City's Shejaiya district stated that, despite promises from Israeli authorities of visible indicators, he had seen no such markers put in place.

"Daily, we can observe Israel's military vehicles and soldiers at a fairly close distance, yet we have no way of knowing whether we are in what is considered a 'secure area' or 'an active danger zone'," he said. "We are continually vulnerable to risk, particularly since we are forced to stay in this location because this is where our home once stood."

Since the truce came into effect, the Israeli military has documented a number of instances of people crossing the Yellow Line. On each instances the military said it engaged those involved.

Video acquired and geolocated depicted the consequences of a incident on 17 October, which the local Civil Defence authority claimed killed eleven non-combatants—including women and children all allegedly from the identical family. The authority said the Palestinians' vehicle was targeted by Israeli forces following crossing the Yellow Line east of the city in the Zeitoun area.

The video showed rescue workers examining the burnt out remnants of a car and covering a nearby severely damaged body of a minor with a white sheet. Geolocation placed the footage to a spot around 125m beyond the demarcation indicated on charts by the IDF.

The IDF said alert rounds were fired towards a "suspicious car" that had crossed the line. The statement noted when the vehicle failed to halt, soldiers opened fire "to remove the danger."

Legal Status and Obligations

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

"Israel's responsibilities under the law of armed conflict do not cease even for those breaching the Yellow Line," commented Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "It can only engage hostile fighters or those directly participating in hostilities, and in such actions it must not inflict excessive non-combatant harm."

In a statement, an Israel's defense spokesperson stated: "Israeli troops under the Southern Command persist to operate to eliminate any danger to the personnel and to defend the civilians of the nation of Israel."

The spokesperson further that the concrete blocks are "positioned every 200 meters."

Background and Casualties

Israel launched a military operation in Gaza