🔗 Share this article

Recent evidence indicate that Israeli military troops are maintaining authority over a larger area inside Gaza than initially anticipated under the truce deal.

The Truce Deal and the Demarcation Line

Under the first phase of the agreement, Israeli authorities committed to withdraw to a boundary line running along the north, south, and east edges of Gaza. The boundary was marked by a distinctive marker on maps published by the defense forces and has become referred to as the "Demarcation Line."

However, recent videos and satellite images show that indicators placed by Israel's troops in two locations to mark the boundary have been set hundreds of meters further within the territory than the expected pullback boundary.

Official Statements and Warnings

Israel's Defense Minister the defense minister—who ordered soldiers to place the distinctive blocks—warned that anyone approaching the line "will be met with fire." There's been already occurred at least two fatal incidents near the demarcation zone.

When contacted, the Israeli military failed to respond to the allegations, stating only that: "IDF troops 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's existed a consistent lack of clarity regarding where exactly the demarcation will be established, with three different charts posted by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israeli defense forces in the lead-up to the ceasefire deal that came into force on October 10.

On 14 October, the IDF released the most recent edition marking the Yellow Line on their digital map, which is used to convey its stance to residents in the Gaza Strip.

North and South Areas

In the north, adjacent to the al-Atatra area, aerial video from the Israeli military revealed that a line of six yellow blocks were as much as 520m further inside the Strip than was anticipated from the official maps.

Video geolocated depicted personnel operating bulldozers and excavators to relocate the heavy yellow blocks and position them along the seaside al-Rashid route.

A comparable situation was observed in the south of the Gaza Strip, where a aerial photograph taken on 19 October revealed 10 indicators erected near the city of Khan Younis. The line of blocks extends from 180 meters-290 meters within the Yellow Line set out by the Israeli military.

Analysts Analysis

Multiple experts indicated that the markers were designed to create a "safety area" separating local residents and IDF personnel. An analyst said the action would be in line with a ongoing "policy approach" that aims to protect Israel from adjacent territories it does not completely administer.

"It gives the IDF room to operate and establish a 'engagement area' targeting possible targets," Dr Andreas Krieg said. "Potential targets can be targeted prior to they reach the IDF perimeter. It is a somewhat like unclaimed territory that doesn't pertain to anyone—and Israel often to take that land from the adversary's chunk rather than its own."

Several analysts proposed that the difference separating the markers and the IDF chart was an intentional design to warn residents they are "approaching an area of increased risk."

An analyst noted that several blocks "seem to be placed near pathways or barriers, making them easier to spot."

Civilian Confusion and Incidents

Exists already confusion within residents over areas where it is safe to travel.

Abdel Qader Ayman Bakr living resides close to the temporary demarcation in the east part of Gaza City Shejaiya district said that, notwithstanding promises from Israeli authorities of clear markings, he had observed none installed.

"Daily, we can see Israel's military vehicles and personnel at a fairly close range, yet we have no way of knowing whether we are in what is deemed a 'safe zone' or 'an active danger zone'," he explained. "We're constantly exposed to risk, particularly since we are forced to remain in this location because this is where our home once existed."

Since the truce came into effect, the Israeli military has reported a number of cases of people crossing the Yellow Line. On all occasions the military stated it fired upon those involved.

Video obtained and geolocated depicted the aftermath of one event on 17 October, which the Hamas-run emergency agency claimed killed 11 non-combatants—comprising females and children all reportedly from the same family. The agency said the Palestinians' car was targeted by Israel following approaching the Yellow Line east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The footage showed emergency workers examining the destroyed remains of a vehicle and covering a adjacent badly-mangled body of a child with a light-colored cloth. Verification placed the footage to a location approximately 125m beyond the demarcation indicated on maps by the Israeli military.

The IDF stated alert shots were discharged towards a "suspect vehicle" that had breached the line. The statement added after the vehicle failed to halt, troops opened fire "to remove the threat."

Juridical Standing and Obligations

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

"The state's responsibilities under the law of armed conflict do not end including for those violating the demarcation," commented a legal expert. "It can only target enemy combatants or those directly involved in hostilities, and in such actions it has to not inflict excessive civilian casualties."

In a statement, an Israeli military representative said: "IDF troops under the military command continue to function to eliminate every threat to the personnel and to defend the residents of the State of Israel."

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

Context and Fatalities

Israeli authorities initiated a military campaign in Gaza