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Recent findings suggest that Israeli military troops are maintaining control over more territory inside Gaza than previously expected under the ceasefire agreement.

This Truce Agreement and the Demarcation Boundary

Under the initial phase of the agreement, Israeli authorities agreed to withdraw to a boundary line running along the northern, southern, and eastern edges of the Gaza Strip. This divide was marked by a yellow marker on official charts published by the defense forces and has come to be referred to as the "Yellow Line."

However, new videos and satellite images show that markers placed by Israel's soldiers in two locations to designate the boundary have been placed several hundreds of yards deeper within the strip than the anticipated pullback line.

Government Statements and Warnings

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz—who instructed troops to position the distinctive markers—stated that anyone crossing the line "would be met with fire." There's been already occurred at least two fatal incidents near the boundary zone.

Upon contacted, the Israeli military did not address the claims, saying simply that: "Israeli forces under the Southern Command have started designating the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip to create tactical clarity on the ground."

Absence of Clarity and Uncertainty

There's been a ongoing lack of clarity regarding where exactly the demarcation will be imposed, with three separate charts published by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israel's military in the lead-up to the ceasefire deal that took effect on October 10.

As of October 14, the Israeli military released the most recent version marking the demarcation on their digital map, which is employed to communicate its position to people in the Gaza Strip.

Northern and Southern Areas

Near the northern sector, close to the al-Atatra neighbourhood, aerial video from the IDF revealed that a line of six distinctive blocks were up to over 500 meters further inside the territory than was anticipated from the official maps.

Video geolocated depicted personnel using heavy machinery and diggers to relocate the large yellow markers and place them along the coastal al-Rashid route.

A similar situation was observed in the south of the Gaza Strip, where a aerial photograph taken on 19 October showed ten indicators placed close to the urban area of Khan Younis. The row of markers extends from 180m-290m inside the demarcation set out by the IDF.

Analysts Analysis

Multiple experts indicated that the markers were designed to establish a "safety area" separating Palestinians and IDF personnel. An expert said the move would be in line with a long-term "policy approach" that aims to insulate the state from adjacent territories it does not completely control.

"This gives the IDF space to operate and create a 'kill zone' against possible threats," an analyst said. "Potential targets can be engaged before they reach the military perimeter. It is a bit like no man's land that does not belong to anyone—and Israel tends to acquire that territory from the adversary's chunk not its territory."

Several experts suggested that the difference between the markers and the IDF chart was an intentional design to alert civilians they are "entering an zone of elevated danger."

Noam Ostfeld said that some blocks "seem to be placed close to pathways or walls, making them easier to identify."

Civilian Uncertainty and Incidents

There is already uncertainty among Gazans over locations where it is safe to travel.

Abdel Qader Ayman Bakr living lives near the interim demarcation in the eastern part of Gaza City Shejaiya neighbourhood stated that, notwithstanding promises from Israel of clear markings, he had observed no such markers installed.

"Daily, we can see Israel's army equipment and soldiers at a fairly nearby range, but we have no way of knowing whether we are in what is considered a 'secure area' or 'a hazardous location'," he said. "We're constantly exposed to risk, particularly as we are compelled to remain in this location because this is where our residence once stood."

After the ceasefire came into effect, the Israeli military has reported a series of cases of people approaching the Yellow Line. On each instances the military stated it fired upon those involved.

Video obtained and verified showed the aftermath of one incident on October 17, which the local emergency agency claimed resulted in the deaths of eleven non-combatants—comprising females and minors all reportedly from the same household. The authority said the Palestinians' car was targeted by Israeli forces following approaching the demarcation to the east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun area.

The footage showed rescue workers examining the destroyed remains of a vehicle and shrouding a nearby severely damaged body of a minor with a white cloth. Geolocation placed the video to a spot approximately 125 meters over the Yellow Line marked on maps by the Israeli military.

The Israeli military said alert shots were discharged at a "suspicious vehicle" that had breached the boundary. The statement added when the car failed to stop, soldiers opened fire "to remove the threat."

Juridical Status and Obligations

At the same time, the juridical status of the boundary has likewise been questioned.

"The state's responsibilities under the regulations of armed conflict do not end even for those breaching the demarcation," said Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "It can solely engage hostile combatants or those directly involved in hostilities, and in such actions it must not cause excessive non-combatant casualties."

Officially, an Israel's military representative stated: "Israeli troops under the Southern Command continue to function to remove any danger to the troops and to protect the residents of the State of the country."

The spokesperson further that the concrete markers are "being placed each 200 meters."

Context and Fatalities

Israeli authorities launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip