🔗 Share this article

New findings indicate that Israeli military forces are maintaining control over more territory inside Gaza than previously expected under the truce deal.

The Ceasefire Agreement and the Demarcation Line

Under the initial phase of the agreement, Israel committed to retreat to a demarcation border running along the north, south, and eastern sides of the Gaza Strip. This boundary was marked by a yellow line on maps published by the military and has come to be referred to as the "Demarcation Line."

However, new footage and aerial images show that markers positioned by Israeli troops in two areas to mark the boundary have been set hundreds of meters further within the territory than the anticipated withdrawal line.

Government Statements and Advisories

Israeli Defence Official Israel Katz—who ordered soldiers to position the yellow markers—stated that anyone crossing the boundary "would be confronted with gunfire." There's been already occurred at least two fatal events near the boundary line.

When approached, the Israeli military failed to address the claims, saying only that: "Israeli forces under the military command have begun designating the demarcation in the Gaza to create operational understanding on the terrain."

Lack of Precision and Uncertainty

There's existed a ongoing absence of precision regarding where precisely the demarcation will be imposed, with multiple 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 October 10.

As of 14 October, the IDF issued the latest edition showing the demarcation on their digital chart, which is used to convey its stance to people in the Gaza Strip.

North and South Areas

In the north, adjacent to the al-Atatra area, drone footage from the IDF showed that a line of several distinctive blocks were as much as 520m further within the territory than would have been expected from the IDF maps.

Video geolocated showed personnel using heavy machinery and diggers to relocate the heavy distinctive markers and place them along the seaside al-Rashid route.

A comparable scenario was observed in the south of the Gaza Strip, where a satellite photograph captured on October 19 showed ten markers placed near the urban area of Khan Younis. The line of blocks ranges from 180 meters-290 meters within the demarcation set out by the Israeli military.

Analysts Interpretation

Multiple experts suggested that the markers were designed to establish a "buffer zone" between local residents and Israeli forces. An expert said the action would be consistent with a ongoing "strategic culture" that seeks to protect Israel from nearby territories it doesn't fully administer.

"This gives the IDF space to operate and establish a 'kill zone' against potential targets," an analyst said. "Possible threats can be targeted before they approach the IDF boundary. It is a bit like no man's land that does not belong to either side—and Israel often to acquire that territory from the adversary's portion not its own."

Three analysts proposed that the disparity separating the markers and the IDF map was an intentional strategy to warn residents they are "approaching an area of elevated danger."

An analyst said that several markers "appear to be positioned close to roads or walls, making them more straightforward to spot."

Civilian Uncertainty and Events

Exists already uncertainty among Gazans over areas where it is safe to travel.

Abdel Qader Ayman Bakr who lives close to the temporary demarcation in the eastern part of Gaza City Shejaiya neighbourhood said that, despite promises from Israel of clear markings, he had seen no such markers put in place.

"Each day, we can observe Israeli military vehicles and personnel at a relatively close range, yet we have no way of knowing whether we are in what is deemed a 'safe zone' or 'a hazardous location'," he said. "We're continually vulnerable to danger, especially since we are forced to remain in this location since this is where our residence previously stood."

Since the ceasefire was implemented, the IDF has documented a number of instances of individuals approaching the Yellow Line. On all instances the military stated it engaged those present.

Video obtained and verified showed the consequences of a incident on 17 October, which the local Civil Defence authority said killed 11 non-combatants—including women and children all reportedly from the same family. The authority stated the Palestinians' vehicle was attacked by Israel following crossing the demarcation to the east of the city in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The video displayed emergency personnel inspecting the burnt out remains of a vehicle and covering a nearby badly-mangled remains of a child with a light-colored sheet. Verification placed the video to a spot around 125 meters beyond the demarcation marked on charts by the IDF.

The IDF stated alert shots were fired at a "suspect vehicle" that had breached the line. The statement noted after the vehicle failed to stop, soldiers engaged "to remove the danger."

Legal Standing and Responsibilities

Meanwhile, the legal status of the boundary has also been challenged.

"The state's obligations under the regulations of armed conflict do not cease including for those breaching the demarcation," commented Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "The military can solely target hostile combatants or those directly involved in conflict, and in so doing it has to avoid cause disproportionate non-combatant harm."

In a statement, an Israel's military spokesperson stated: "Israeli troops under the military command continue to function to remove every danger to the personnel and to protect the civilians of the State of the country."

The spokesperson added that the concrete markers are "positioned every 200 metres."

Background and Fatalities

Israeli authorities launched a military campaign in Gaza