🔗 Share this article

New evidence suggest that Israel's military troops are maintaining control over a larger area within Gaza than previously anticipated under the ceasefire deal.

This Truce Deal and the Demarcation Line

According to the first phase of the agreement, Israeli authorities agreed to retreat to a demarcation border extending along the north, south, and east sides of Gaza. This boundary was designated by a yellow line on official charts published by the military and has become referred to as the "Demarcation Line."

But, recent videos and satellite images show that indicators placed by Israel's soldiers in several areas to mark the boundary have been set hundreds of meters deeper within the territory than the expected pullback line.

Official Statements and Warnings

Israel's Defence Official the defense minister—which instructed troops to place the yellow blocks—warned that individuals crossing the boundary "would be confronted with fire." There's been already been at least two fatal incidents near the demarcation zone.

When contacted, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) failed to respond to the allegations, saying simply that: "IDF forces under the Southern Command have begun marking the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip to establish tactical clarity on the terrain."

Absence of Clarity and Confusion

There's been a consistent absence of clarity about where exactly the demarcation would be imposed, with three different maps posted by the White House, former U.S. President, and the Israeli defense forces in the lead-up to the truce deal that took effect on October 10.

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

Northern and South Gaza

In the north, close to the al-Atatra area, drone footage from the Israeli military revealed that a row of six yellow markers were as much as 520m deeper within the Strip than was expected from the IDF charts.

Video geolocated depicted workers using bulldozers and diggers to relocate the large distinctive markers and position them along the seaside al-Rashid road.

A comparable situation was observed in southern Gaza, where a satellite image taken on October 19 showed ten indicators placed near the urban area of Khan Younis. The line of markers extends between 180m-290m within the demarcation set out by the IDF.

Analysts Interpretation

Multiple analysts suggested that the blocks were intended to create a "safety area" between local residents and Israeli personnel. One analyst said the action would be consistent with a long-term "policy approach" that seeks to protect Israel from adjacent territories it does not fully control.

"This gives the Israeli military room to manoeuvre and create a 'kill zone' against possible threats," an analyst commented. "Potential threats can be engaged before they approach the IDF boundary. It is a somewhat like unclaimed territory that does not belong to either side—and Israeli authorities often to acquire that land from the adversary's portion rather than its own."

Several experts proposed that the difference separating the indicators and the official chart was an intentional strategy to warn civilians they are "approaching an area of elevated risk."

An analyst said that several blocks "appear to be placed close to pathways or walls, making them easier to identify."

Resident Confusion and Events

Exists already uncertainty within Gazans over areas where it is secure to go.

A resident living lives close to the temporary demarcation in the east section of Gaza City's Shejaiya neighbourhood stated that, notwithstanding assurances from Israeli authorities of visible indicators, he had observed none installed.

"Daily, we can see Israeli military vehicles and personnel at a fairly close distance, but we have no means of knowing whether we are in what is considered a 'safe zone' or 'a hazardous location'," he explained. "We're continually vulnerable to danger, especially since we are forced to stay here because this is where our residence once stood."

Since the truce came into effect, the Israeli military has reported a series of instances of people crossing the demarcation. On each occasions the IDF said it engaged those present.

Video acquired and geolocated depicted the consequences of a event on 17 October, which the local Civil Defence authority claimed killed eleven non-combatants—comprising women and children reportedly reportedly from the identical family. The authority stated the Palestinians' car was targeted by Israel after crossing the demarcation to the east of the city in the Zeitoun area.

The video displayed rescue workers examining the burnt out remains of a vehicle and shrouding a nearby badly-mangled body of a minor with a light-colored cloth. Geolocation placed the video to a spot around 125m over the demarcation marked on maps by the Israeli military.

The Israeli military stated warning shots were fired at a "suspect car" that had breached the boundary. The statement noted when the vehicle failed to stop, soldiers engaged "to remove the threat."

Juridical Status and Obligations

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

"The state's responsibilities under the law of hostilities cannot cease including for those breaching the demarcation," said a legal expert. "It can only target hostile combatants or those directly participating in conflict, and in so doing it must not inflict disproportionate civilian casualties."

Officially, an Israel's defense representative said: "IDF forces under the military command continue to function to remove every danger to the troops and to protect the civilians of the nation of the country."

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

Context and Casualties

Israeli authorities launched a defense operation in Gaza