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New evidence suggest that Israel's defense forces are exercising control over more territory inside Gaza than previously expected under the truce agreement.

This Truce Agreement and the Yellow Line

According to the first stage of the agreement, Israel committed to retreat to a boundary line running along the north, southern, and eastern edges of the Gaza Strip. 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 satellite photographs reveal that markers positioned by Israel's troops in several locations to mark the divide have been placed several hundreds of meters deeper inside the strip than the expected pullback line.

Official Statements and Warnings

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz—which ordered troops to place the distinctive blocks—stated that anyone approaching the line "would be met with fire." There have already occurred at least several fatal events close to the boundary zone.

Upon approached, the Israeli military failed to address the claims, saying only that: "IDF forces under the military command have begun designating the demarcation in the Gaza Strip to establish tactical clarity on the ground."

Absence of Precision and Uncertainty

There's existed a ongoing absence of precision regarding the exact location precisely the demarcation will be established, with multiple different charts published by the U.S. administration, Donald Trump, and the Israeli defense forces in the lead-up to the ceasefire deal that took effect on 10 October.

As of 14 October, the Israeli military issued the most recent version marking the demarcation on their online chart, which is employed to communicate its stance to people in Gaza.

North and Southern Gaza

Near the northern sector, close to the al-Atatra area, aerial footage from the IDF showed that a row of six distinctive markers were up to 520m deeper within the territory than would have been expected from the official maps.

Footage geolocated showed workers using heavy machinery and diggers to move the large distinctive blocks and position them along the coastal al-Rashid route.

A similar scenario was observed in southern Gaza, where a satellite image taken on October 19 showed 10 markers placed near the city of Khan Younis. The row of markers extends between 180 meters-290 meters inside the Yellow Line established by the Israeli military.

Analysts Analysis

Multiple analysts suggested that the blocks were designed to establish a "safety area" separating local residents and Israeli forces. One analyst said the action would be in line with a long-term "strategic culture" that aims to insulate the state from nearby territories it does not fully administer.

"This gives the IDF space to manoeuvre and create a 'kill zone' against possible targets," Dr Andreas Krieg commented. "Possible threats can be targeted prior to they reach the military perimeter. It is a bit like unclaimed territory that does not pertain to either side—and Israeli authorities tends to take that land from the opponent's portion not its territory."

Three analysts suggested that the disparity separating the markers and the official chart was an intentional design to alert residents they are "approaching an zone of increased danger."

Noam Ostfeld noted that several markers "appear to be placed near roads or walls, rendering them easier to identify."

Resident Uncertainty and Events

There is already confusion within residents over areas where it is safe to travel.

A resident who lives close to the temporary boundary in the east part of Gaza City Shejaiya neighbourhood stated that, notwithstanding assurances from Israeli authorities of visible markings, he had observed none installed.

"Each day, we can observe Israel's army vehicles and soldiers at a relatively nearby range, yet we have no means of determining whether we are in what is considered a 'secure area' or 'a hazardous location'," he said. "We're continually vulnerable to danger, especially since we are compelled to remain here since this is where our residence once stood."

After the ceasefire was implemented, the Israeli military has reported a series of cases of individuals approaching the Yellow Line. On each occasions the IDF stated it fired upon those present.

Footage acquired and geolocated showed the consequences of a incident on October 17, which the Hamas-run Civil Defence authority claimed killed eleven civilians—comprising females and minors all reportedly from the same family. The authority stated the local car was targeted by Israeli forces after crossing the Yellow Line east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The footage displayed rescue workers inspecting the burnt out remnants of a vehicle and covering a adjacent badly-mangled body of a child with a white sheet. Verification placed the footage to a location approximately 125 meters over the demarcation indicated on maps by the Israeli military.

The IDF stated alert rounds were fired at a "suspect vehicle" that had breached the boundary. The statement added when the vehicle failed to halt, troops opened fire "to eliminate the danger."

Juridical Status and Responsibilities

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

"Israel's responsibilities under the regulations of hostilities do not end even for those violating the Yellow Line," commented a legal expert. "It can only target hostile fighters or those directly involved in conflict, and in such actions it must avoid inflict disproportionate non-combatant casualties."

In a statement, an Israeli military spokesperson said: "Israeli forces under the Southern Command persist to function to eliminate every threat to the troops and to protect the civilians of the State of the country."

The spokesperson added that the concrete markers are "being placed each 200 metres."

Background and Casualties

Israel launched a defense campaign in Gaza