🔗 Share this article

Recent findings suggest that Israel's military troops are maintaining control over more area within Gaza than initially anticipated under the truce agreement.

This Truce Deal and the Demarcation Boundary

Under the initial phase of the deal, Israeli authorities agreed to retreat to a boundary line running along the northern, southern, and east edges of the Gaza Strip. The divide was designated by a distinctive marker on maps released by the military and has come to be referred to as the "Yellow Line."

But, new videos and aerial photographs show that markers positioned by Israeli troops in several locations to mark the boundary have been placed several hundreds of meters deeper inside the strip than the expected withdrawal line.

Official Statements and Warnings

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz—which ordered soldiers to position the yellow blocks—stated that individuals crossing the boundary "will be confronted with fire." There's been already been at minimum several fatal incidents close to the boundary line.

Upon contacted, the Israeli military failed to respond to the claims, saying only that: "Israeli troops under the Southern Command have begun marking the Yellow Line in the Gaza to establish tactical clarity on the terrain."

Absence of Precision and Uncertainty

There's existed a ongoing lack of clarity regarding the exact location exactly the boundary would be established, with multiple different charts published by the White House, former U.S. President, and the Israel's military in the run up to the truce deal that came into force on October 10.

As of October 14, the IDF released the most recent edition showing the demarcation on their online chart, which is used to convey its position to people in Gaza.

Northern and Southern Gaza

Near the northern sector, adjacent to the al-Atatra area, drone video from the IDF showed that a row of six distinctive blocks were up to over 500 meters deeper inside the territory than was anticipated from the official maps.

Footage geolocated showed workers operating heavy machinery and diggers to relocate the large distinctive blocks and place them along the seaside al-Rashid road.

A comparable scenario was visible in the south of Gaza, where a aerial image captured on 19 October revealed ten indicators placed near the urban area of Khan Younis. The line of markers extends from 180m-290 meters within the demarcation set out by the Israeli military.

Analysts Interpretation

Multiple experts indicated that the blocks were designed to establish a "buffer zone" between Palestinians and Israeli forces. One expert stated the move would be in line with a long-term "strategic culture" that seeks to insulate Israel from nearby territories it doesn't completely control.

"It provides the Israeli military room to operate and create a 'engagement area' against potential threats," Dr Andreas Krieg commented. "Potential threats can be engaged prior to they reach the military perimeter. It is a somewhat like no man's land that doesn't pertain to either side—and Israeli authorities tends to acquire that land from the adversary's chunk not its own."

Several experts proposed that the difference between the markers and the IDF chart was an deliberate strategy to alert civilians they are "entering an zone of increased risk."

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

Civilian Confusion and Events

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

Abdel Qader Ayman Bakr living lives near the interim demarcation in the eastern part of Gaza City Shejaiya district stated that, despite promises from Israel of visible indicators, he had seen no such markers installed.

"Daily, we can see Israeli army vehicles and soldiers at a fairly close range, but we have no means of knowing whether we are in what is considered a 'secure area' or 'an active danger zone'," he explained. "We are continually exposed to risk, especially as we are compelled to remain here because this is where our home once existed."

After the ceasefire was implemented, the IDF has documented a number of cases of individuals approaching the demarcation. On all occasions the IDF said it engaged those present.

Video obtained and verified showed the consequences of one event on October 17, which the Hamas-run Civil Defence authority said resulted in the deaths of 11 non-combatants—comprising females and minors all allegedly from the identical household. The agency stated the Palestinians' vehicle was attacked by Israeli forces following approaching the demarcation to the east of the city in the Zeitoun area.

The video displayed emergency personnel examining the burnt out remains of a vehicle and covering a nearby badly-mangled remains of a minor with a light-colored sheet. Verification located the footage to a location approximately 125m over the Yellow Line marked on maps by the Israeli military.

The IDF stated alert rounds were discharged towards a "suspect car" that had crossed the boundary. The statement noted when the car failed to stop, soldiers opened fire "to eliminate the danger."

Juridical Standing and Responsibilities

At the same time, the juridical status of the demarcation has likewise been questioned.

"Israel's responsibilities under the law of hostilities do not end including for those violating the demarcation," commented a legal expert. "It can only target hostile fighters or those directly involved in hostilities, and in so doing it must avoid inflict disproportionate non-combatant harm."

Officially, an Israeli military spokesperson stated: "IDF forces under the Southern Command continue to function to eliminate any danger to the personnel and to protect the civilians of the nation of the country."

The spokesperson added that the concrete markers are "positioned each 200 meters."

Context and Casualties

Israeli authorities launched a defense campaign in Gaza