🔗 Share this article

New evidence suggest that Israel's military troops are exercising control over more territory inside Gaza than previously anticipated under the ceasefire agreement.

This Truce Deal and the Demarcation Line

According to the initial stage of the agreement, Israel committed to retreat to a demarcation border running along the northern, southern, and eastern edges of Gaza. This divide was marked by a yellow line on official charts published by the military and has come to be known as the "Demarcation Line."

However, new videos and aerial images reveal that markers placed by Israel's troops in two locations to mark the divide have been set hundreds of yards further inside the strip than the anticipated pullback boundary.

Government Statements and Warnings

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz—who instructed soldiers to position the yellow markers—warned that anyone crossing the line "would be met with fire." There have already occurred at minimum two fatal events close to the demarcation zone.

When approached, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) failed to respond to the allegations, stating only that: "Israeli troops under the military command have begun marking the demarcation in the Gaza Strip to create operational understanding on the terrain."

Absence of Clarity and Uncertainty

There's been a consistent absence of clarity about where precisely the boundary will be established, with three different charts published by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israeli military in the run up to the ceasefire agreement that came into force on October 10.

On 14 October, the Israeli military issued the most recent edition marking the demarcation on their online chart, which is used to convey its stance to people in the Gaza Strip.

North and South Areas

In the north, close to the al-Atatra area, aerial footage from the Israeli military revealed that a row of several yellow blocks were up to over 500 meters further inside the Strip than was expected from the IDF maps.

Footage geolocated depicted personnel using bulldozers and diggers to relocate the large distinctive blocks and place them along the seaside al-Rashid road.

A comparable situation was visible in the south of Gaza, where a satellite photograph captured on October 19 revealed 10 indicators erected near the urban area of Khan Younis. The line of blocks ranges from 180m-290m within the demarcation set out by the Israeli military.

Experts Analysis

Several analysts suggested that the blocks were designed to establish a "buffer zone" between local residents and Israeli personnel. One analyst stated the move would be in line with a ongoing "strategic culture" that seeks to insulate the state from adjacent territories it doesn't fully administer.

"It gives the Israeli military space to manoeuvre and establish a 'kill zone' targeting potential targets," Dr Andreas Krieg commented. "Potential targets can be targeted prior to they approach the military 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 portion not its territory."

Several experts proposed that the difference separating the markers and the official map was an intentional strategy to warn civilians they are "approaching an zone of elevated danger."

An analyst said that several blocks "appear to be placed near roads or walls, rendering them easier to identify."

Resident Confusion and Events

Exists already confusion within Gazans over areas where it is secure to travel.

A resident who resides near the interim boundary in the east part of Gaza City Shejaiya district said that, notwithstanding promises from Israel of clear markings, he had observed none put in place.

"Daily, we can see Israeli army equipment and soldiers at a fairly close range, yet we have no means of knowing whether we are in what is considered a 'safe zone' or 'a hazardous location'," he explained. "We're constantly vulnerable to risk, particularly as we are compelled to remain here because this is where our home previously existed."

After the truce came into effect, the IDF has documented a number of instances of individuals crossing the Yellow Line. On all occasions the IDF stated it fired upon those present.

Video acquired and geolocated showed the aftermath of one event on 17 October, which the local emergency agency claimed killed 11 civilians—including females and children all reportedly from the same family. The agency said the local vehicle was attacked by Israel following crossing the Yellow Line east of the city in the Zeitoun area.

The footage displayed emergency workers examining the burnt out remains of a vehicle and shrouding a adjacent badly-mangled remains of a minor with a white cloth. Geolocation placed the video to a location around 125m beyond the Yellow Line indicated on maps by the IDF.

The IDF said warning shots were discharged towards a "suspect vehicle" that had crossed the line. The announcement added after the car failed to stop, soldiers opened fire "to eliminate the danger."

Legal Status and Obligations

At the same time, the legal standing of the demarcation has also been questioned.

"Israel's obligations under the law of hostilities do not cease including for those violating the demarcation," said a legal expert. "The military can only engage hostile combatants or those actively participating in hostilities, and in so doing it has to not inflict excessive civilian harm."

Officially, an Israeli defense spokesperson stated: "IDF forces under the Southern Command persist to operate to remove any danger to the personnel and to defend the civilians of the State of Israel."

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

Background and Fatalities

Israeli authorities initiated a military operation in Gaza