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New evidence indicate that Israeli military forces are maintaining control over more territory within Gaza than previously anticipated under the ceasefire deal.

The Ceasefire Deal and the Demarcation Boundary

According to the initial stage of the agreement, Israeli authorities committed to withdraw to a boundary line extending along the northern, southern, and eastern edges of Gaza. This divide was marked by a yellow marker on maps published by the defense forces and has come to be known as the "Yellow Line."

But, new videos and aerial images show that indicators positioned by Israel's soldiers in two areas to designate the boundary have been set hundreds of meters deeper within the territory than the expected pullback boundary.

Official Statements and Warnings

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz—who ordered troops to place the yellow blocks—warned that individuals crossing the boundary "will be met with gunfire." There have already occurred at minimum several fatal incidents near the boundary line.

When contacted, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) failed to respond to the claims, saying only that: "IDF forces under the Southern Command have started designating the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip to establish operational understanding on the ground."

Lack of Precision and Confusion

There has existed a consistent absence of precision about where precisely the demarcation would be established, with three different maps posted by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israel's military in the run up to the truce deal that took effect on 10 October.

On 14 October, the IDF released the latest edition marking the Yellow Line on their digital map, which is employed to convey its stance to people in the Gaza Strip.

North and South Gaza

Near the northern sector, adjacent to the al-Atatra neighbourhood, drone video from the IDF showed that a line of six distinctive blocks were up to 520m further inside the Strip than would have been expected from the official charts.

Footage geolocated depicted workers using bulldozers and diggers to move the heavy yellow blocks and position them along the seaside al-Rashid route.

A comparable scenario was visible in southern Gaza, where a aerial image captured on October 19 showed ten markers placed close to the urban area of Khan Younis. The row of blocks extends from 180m-290m inside the Yellow Line established by the IDF.

Analysts Interpretation

Multiple experts indicated that the blocks were designed to create a "buffer zone" separating local residents and Israeli personnel. One analyst stated the action would be consistent with a long-term "strategic culture" that aims to protect the state from adjacent areas it does not completely control.

"This provides the IDF room to operate and establish a 'engagement area' against potential threats," an analyst commented. "Possible targets can be targeted prior to they reach the IDF perimeter. It is a somewhat like unclaimed territory that doesn't belong to either side—and Israeli authorities tends to take that territory from the adversary's chunk not its territory."

Several analysts suggested that the difference between the indicators and the official chart was an intentional strategy to warn civilians they are "approaching an zone of elevated risk."

An analyst said that several markers "appear to be placed near roads or barriers, rendering them more straightforward to spot."

Civilian Confusion and Incidents

There is already uncertainty within residents over locations where it is safe to travel.

A resident who lives close to the temporary boundary in the east part of Gaza City Shejaiya district said that, notwithstanding assurances from Israeli authorities of clear indicators, he had observed none installed.

"Daily, we can observe Israeli army equipment and personnel at a fairly nearby range, yet we have no way of determining whether we are in what is considered a 'safe zone' or 'an active danger zone'," he explained. "We're continually exposed to danger, particularly since we are forced to remain here since this is where our residence previously stood."

After the truce was implemented, the IDF has documented a number of cases of individuals approaching the Yellow Line. On each instances the IDF stated it engaged those present.

Video acquired and verified depicted the aftermath of a incident on October 17, which the Hamas-run emergency agency said killed 11 non-combatants—comprising women and children all allegedly from the same household. The agency said the local car was targeted by Israel following approaching the demarcation east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun area.

The footage displayed emergency personnel examining the burnt out remnants of a vehicle and covering a nearby severely damaged body of a child with a white cloth. Verification located the video to a location around 125m beyond the Yellow Line indicated on charts by the IDF.

The Israeli military said alert shots were fired towards a "suspect vehicle" that had crossed the boundary. The announcement added when the car failed to halt, troops engaged "to eliminate the danger."

Juridical Standing and Responsibilities

At the same time, the juridical status of the demarcation has likewise been challenged.

"Israel's responsibilities under the regulations of armed conflict cannot end including for those breaching the Yellow Line," commented Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "The military can solely engage enemy fighters or those directly participating in hostilities, and in so doing it has to not cause disproportionate non-combatant harm."

In a statement, an Israel's defense representative stated: "Israeli forces under the Southern Command continue to operate to eliminate every danger to the troops and to defend the civilians of the nation of the country."

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

Context and Casualties

Israel launched a defense operation in Gaza