🔗 Share this article

New findings suggest that Israeli military troops are exercising control over more territory within the Gaza Strip than initially anticipated under the truce deal.

The Truce Deal and the Demarcation Boundary

Under the first stage of the agreement, Israel committed to retreat to a boundary border running along the northern, southern, and east sides of the Gaza Strip. This divide was marked by a distinctive line on official charts released by the military and has become known as the "Demarcation Line."

However, recent videos and aerial photographs show that markers positioned by Israeli soldiers in several locations to mark the divide have been set hundreds of yards deeper inside the strip than the expected withdrawal line.

Official Comments and Advisories

Israeli Defence Official Israel Katz—which instructed troops to place the distinctive markers—warned that individuals approaching the boundary "would be confronted with fire." There's been already been at least two fatal incidents near the boundary line.

Upon contacted, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) failed to respond to the allegations, stating simply that: "Israeli troops under the Southern Command have begun designating the demarcation in the Gaza to create operational understanding on the ground."

Absence of Precision and Uncertainty

There has been a ongoing lack of precision regarding where precisely the demarcation would be imposed, with multiple different charts posted by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israel's defense forces in the run up to the ceasefire deal that came into force on October 10.

On October 14, the Israeli military released the most recent version showing the Yellow Line on their digital map, which is employed to convey its stance to people in the Gaza Strip.

North and South Areas

In the north, close to the al-Atatra neighbourhood, drone video from the IDF showed that a row of six distinctive blocks were up to over 500 meters deeper within the Strip than would have been anticipated from the official charts.

Video verified depicted personnel operating heavy machinery and excavators to relocate the large yellow markers and position them along the coastal al-Rashid road.

A comparable scenario was observed in the south of the Gaza Strip, where a aerial photograph captured on October 19 revealed 10 markers placed near the urban area of Khan Younis. The row of markers ranges between 180 meters-290m within the demarcation established by the IDF.

Analysts Interpretation

Multiple experts suggested that the blocks were designed to establish a "buffer zone" separating local residents and Israeli forces. An expert stated the move would be consistent with a ongoing "policy approach" that seeks to insulate Israel from nearby territories it doesn't fully control.

"It provides the IDF space to manoeuvre and create a 'engagement area' targeting potential threats," an analyst commented. "Possible targets can be targeted before they reach the IDF perimeter. It is a somewhat like no man's land that doesn't belong to anyone—and Israeli authorities often to acquire that land from the adversary's chunk not its territory."

Three analysts suggested that the difference between the markers and the official chart was an intentional design to warn civilians they are "approaching an area of elevated danger."

Noam Ostfeld said that several blocks "appear to be positioned close to pathways or walls, rendering them easier to identify."

Civilian Uncertainty and Incidents

There is already confusion among residents over areas where it is secure to travel.

A resident living lives close to the interim boundary in the east part of Gaza City's Shejaiya neighbourhood said that, despite promises from Israeli authorities of visible markings, he had observed no such markers installed.

"Each day, we can see Israeli military equipment and personnel at a relatively close range, yet we have no means of knowing whether we are in what is deemed a 'safe zone' or 'a hazardous location'," he explained. "We are constantly vulnerable to risk, particularly since we are compelled to stay in this location because this is where our residence previously stood."

After the truce came into effect, the Israeli military has reported a series of instances of people crossing the demarcation. On all instances the IDF stated it engaged those involved.

Video obtained and verified depicted the consequences of a incident on October 17, which the Hamas-run emergency agency said resulted in the deaths of eleven civilians—including females and minors reportedly reportedly from the identical family. The agency said the Palestinians' car was attacked by Israeli forces after approaching the Yellow Line east of the city in the Zeitoun area.

The video showed emergency workers examining the burnt out remnants of a car and shrouding a nearby severely damaged remains of a minor with a light-colored sheet. Verification located the video to a spot around 125m beyond the demarcation indicated on maps by the IDF.

The Israeli military stated alert shots were fired towards a "suspicious vehicle" that had breached the line. The statement added after the car failed to halt, troops opened fire "to remove the threat."

Juridical Status and Obligations

Meanwhile, the legal status of the demarcation has also been questioned.

"Israel's obligations under the law of hostilities do not cease including for those breaching the Yellow Line," commented Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "It can solely engage enemy combatants or those actively participating in conflict, and in so doing it must avoid cause excessive civilian casualties."

Officially, an Israel's military spokesperson said: "IDF troops under the Southern Command continue to operate to eliminate any threat to the personnel and to protect the civilians of the nation of the country."

They further that the concrete markers are "positioned every 200 metres."

Background and Fatalities

Israel launched a defense operation in the Gaza Strip