🔗 Share this article

New evidence suggest that Israel's defense troops are maintaining control over more area within the Gaza Strip than initially expected under the ceasefire deal.

The Ceasefire Agreement and the Demarcation Boundary

Under the first stage of the deal, Israeli authorities agreed to retreat to a demarcation line running along the northern, southern, and eastern edges of the Gaza Strip. This divide was marked by a distinctive marker on maps published by the military and has come to be known as the "Demarcation Line."

But, new footage and aerial photographs reveal that markers positioned by Israeli soldiers in several areas to designate the divide have been placed several hundreds of yards deeper within the strip than the expected withdrawal boundary.

Government Statements and Warnings

Israel's Defence Minister the defense minister—who instructed troops to position the yellow blocks—stated that anyone approaching the line "will be met with fire." There's been already been at least several fatal incidents close to the demarcation line.

Upon contacted, the Israeli military did not address the allegations, stating only that: "Israeli forces under the Southern Command have begun marking the demarcation in the Gaza Strip to create operational understanding on the ground."

Absence of Clarity and Uncertainty

There has existed a ongoing absence of precision regarding the exact location precisely the boundary would be established, with three different charts published by the White House, former U.S. President, and the Israel's military in the run up to the ceasefire agreement that came into force on 10 October.

On 14 October, the Israeli military issued the most recent version showing the demarcation on their online chart, which is employed to communicate its position to people in the Gaza Strip.

Northern and South Areas

Near the northern sector, close to the al-Atatra area, aerial video from the IDF revealed that a row of six yellow markers were as much as 520m further inside the territory than was anticipated from the official charts.

Video verified showed workers operating heavy machinery and diggers to move the heavy yellow blocks and place them along the coastal al-Rashid route.

A similar scenario was observed in southern the Gaza Strip, where a aerial image captured on 19 October showed ten markers erected close to the urban area of Khan Younis. The line of blocks extends between 180 meters-290 meters within the demarcation established by the Israeli military.

Analysts Interpretation

Several experts indicated that the markers were intended to establish a "safety area" between Palestinians and IDF forces. An analyst stated the move would be in line with a ongoing "strategic culture" that aims to protect Israel from adjacent territories it doesn't fully administer.

"It gives the IDF space to manoeuvre and create a 'kill zone' against possible threats," an analyst said. "Possible threats can be targeted before they approach the IDF perimeter. It is a bit like unclaimed territory that doesn't belong to anyone—and Israel tends to take that land from the adversary's chunk rather than its own."

Three experts proposed that the disparity between the indicators and the IDF chart was an deliberate design to warn residents they are "approaching an area of elevated risk."

An analyst said that some blocks "appear to be positioned close to roads or walls, making them more straightforward to identify."

Civilian Uncertainty and Events

There is already confusion within Gazans over locations where it is secure to travel.

Abdel Qader Ayman Bakr living lives close to the interim boundary in the east section of Gaza City Shejaiya district stated that, notwithstanding assurances from Israeli authorities of visible markings, he had observed no such markers installed.

"Each day, we can observe Israel's army equipment and soldiers at a relatively close distance, yet we have no means of knowing whether we are in what is deemed a 'secure area' or 'a hazardous location'," he said. "We are continually vulnerable to danger, particularly as we are compelled to stay here because this is where our home previously stood."

Since the truce was implemented, the IDF has reported a series of cases of individuals approaching the demarcation. On all instances the IDF stated it engaged those present.

Video acquired and geolocated depicted the consequences of one incident on October 17, which the local emergency authority claimed killed eleven civilians—comprising females and minors all reportedly from the same household. The authority said the Palestinians' car was attacked by Israeli forces after crossing the Yellow Line east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun area.

The video showed emergency personnel examining the burnt out remains of a car and covering a nearby badly-mangled body of a child with a light-colored sheet. Verification located the video to a spot approximately 125 meters beyond the Yellow Line indicated on maps by the Israeli military.

The Israeli military stated alert shots were fired towards a "suspicious vehicle" that had breached the line. The announcement noted after the car did not to halt, troops engaged "to eliminate the threat."

Legal Status and Obligations

At the same time, the legal status of the boundary has also been questioned.

"Israel's responsibilities under the law of hostilities do not cease even for those breaching the demarcation," commented a legal expert. "The military can only target enemy combatants or those actively participating in conflict, and in so doing it must avoid inflict excessive civilian casualties."

In a statement, an Israel's defense representative said: "Israeli forces under the Southern Command continue to function to eliminate any threat to the troops and to defend the residents of the nation of Israel."

The spokesperson further that the solid markers are "being placed every 200 metres."

Context and Fatalities

Israeli authorities initiated a military operation in the Gaza Strip