🔗 Share this article

New findings suggest that Israel's military forces are maintaining authority over a larger area within Gaza than initially expected under the truce agreement.

The Truce Agreement and the Yellow Boundary

According to the first phase of the deal, Israel committed to retreat to a boundary border running along the north, south, and eastern sides of the Gaza Strip. This boundary was marked by a yellow line on official charts released by the defense forces and has come to be referred to as the "Demarcation Line."

However, new footage and satellite photographs show that indicators positioned by Israel's soldiers in two areas to designate the divide have been placed several hundreds of meters further inside the strip than the expected pullback boundary.

Official Comments and Warnings

Israel's Defense Official Israel Katz—who instructed troops to position the yellow markers—warned that individuals approaching the line "would be met with fire." There have already been at least several fatal events close to the demarcation line.

When approached, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not address the allegations, stating only that: "IDF troops under the Southern Command have begun designating the demarcation in the Gaza Strip to create operational understanding on the terrain."

Lack of Clarity and Confusion

There's been a ongoing absence of precision regarding where exactly the boundary would be imposed, with multiple different charts posted by the White House, Donald Trump, and the Israel's military in the run up to the truce agreement that came into force on 10 October.

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

Northern and South Gaza

Near the northern sector, adjacent to the al-Atatra neighbourhood, drone footage from the Israeli military revealed that a line of six distinctive markers were up to over 500 meters further within the territory than was anticipated from the IDF maps.

Footage verified showed workers using bulldozers and diggers to relocate the large yellow markers and position them along the seaside al-Rashid road.

A comparable situation was observed in the south of the Gaza Strip, where a aerial image captured on October 19 revealed 10 markers placed close to the city of Khan Younis. The line of markers extends between 180 meters-290m within the demarcation established by the Israeli military.

Analysts Analysis

Several experts indicated that the markers were intended to create a "safety area" separating local residents and IDF personnel. An analyst stated the move would be consistent with a ongoing "strategic culture" that seeks to insulate the state from nearby areas it doesn't fully administer.

"It provides the Israeli military space to operate and create a 'kill zone' against possible targets," Dr Andreas Krieg said. "Potential threats can be targeted before they approach the military boundary. It is a bit like no man's land that doesn't pertain to anyone—and Israeli authorities often to acquire that land from the opponent's chunk rather than its territory."

Three experts suggested that the difference separating the markers and the official chart was an intentional strategy to alert civilians they are "approaching an area of elevated risk."

Noam Ostfeld noted that some markers "appear to be placed close to pathways or walls, making them more straightforward to spot."

Civilian Confusion and Events

Exists already confusion among residents over locations where it is secure to travel.

Abdel Qader Ayman Bakr living lives near the interim demarcation in the eastern section of Gaza City's Shejaiya neighbourhood stated that, despite promises from Israeli authorities of clear markings, he had seen none installed.

"Daily, we can see Israeli military equipment and personnel at a fairly close range, yet we have no means of determining whether we are in what is considered a 'safe zone' or 'an active danger zone'," he said. "We are continually vulnerable to danger, particularly since we are forced to remain here because this is where our home previously stood."

Since the ceasefire came into effect, the IDF has documented a number of instances of individuals crossing the Yellow Line. On all instances the IDF said it engaged those involved.

Footage obtained and geolocated showed the aftermath of a incident on 17 October, which the Hamas-run Civil Defence authority said killed 11 civilians—including women and minors all reportedly from the same family. The authority said the Palestinians' vehicle was attacked by Israeli forces after crossing the Yellow Line to the east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun area.

The footage displayed rescue personnel examining the burnt out remnants of a vehicle and covering a adjacent badly-mangled body of a minor with a white cloth. Geolocation located the footage to a location approximately 125 meters over the demarcation indicated on charts by the Israeli military.

The IDF said warning shots were fired towards a "suspicious car" that had breached the boundary. The announcement noted when the car did not to stop, troops opened fire "to eliminate the threat."

Juridical Standing and Responsibilities

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

"The state's responsibilities under the law of armed conflict do not cease including for those violating the Yellow Line," commented a legal expert. "The military can only engage enemy combatants or those directly participating in conflict, and in so doing it must avoid cause excessive civilian casualties."

Officially, an Israeli military representative said: "IDF troops under the military command persist to operate to remove every danger to the troops and to defend the residents of the nation of Israel."

The spokesperson further that the concrete blocks are "being placed each 200 metres."

Context and Casualties

Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza