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New evidence suggest that Israel's military troops are maintaining authority over a larger territory inside the Gaza Strip than initially expected under the truce agreement.

This Truce Agreement and the Yellow Boundary

According to the first stage of the agreement, Israel agreed to withdraw to a boundary line running along the northern, south, and east edges of Gaza. This divide was marked by a distinctive marker on maps released by the defense forces and has become known as the "Yellow Line."

However, recent videos and satellite photographs reveal that markers positioned by Israeli soldiers in several locations to mark the boundary have been set several hundreds of meters further within the territory than the anticipated pullback line.

Official Statements and Warnings

Israel's Defence Official Israel Katz—which ordered troops to place the yellow blocks—stated that anyone crossing the boundary "would be confronted with gunfire." There have already occurred at minimum two deadly events near the demarcation line.

When contacted, the Israeli military failed to address the claims, saying simply that: "Israeli troops under the military command have started designating the demarcation in the Gaza to establish tactical clarity on the ground."

Absence of Clarity and Confusion

There's been a consistent absence of precision about the exact location precisely the boundary will be established, with three different charts posted by the White House, Donald Trump, and the Israel's military in the lead-up to the ceasefire deal that took effect on 10 October.

As of October 14, the Israeli military released the most recent version marking the demarcation on their digital chart, which is used to communicate its stance to residents in the Gaza Strip.

Northern and Southern Gaza

Near the northern sector, close to the al-Atatra neighbourhood, aerial video from the IDF revealed that a row of six distinctive markers were as much as over 500 meters further inside the Strip than would have been anticipated from the IDF maps.

Video verified depicted personnel using heavy machinery and diggers to move the large yellow markers and place them along the seaside al-Rashid route.

A similar situation was visible in the south of Gaza, where a satellite image captured on October 19 showed 10 indicators erected close to the city of Khan Younis. The line of blocks extends from 180m-290 meters inside the Yellow Line set out by the IDF.

Analysts Interpretation

Multiple analysts suggested that the markers were designed to establish a "safety area" between Palestinians and Israeli personnel. An expert stated the action would be consistent with a long-term "strategic culture" that seeks to insulate Israel from nearby areas it doesn't fully control.

"This gives the IDF room to operate and create a 'kill zone' against possible threats," an analyst said. "Possible targets can be engaged prior to they approach the military boundary. It is a bit like unclaimed territory that does not belong to either side—and Israeli authorities often to acquire that land from the adversary's portion not its own."

Several experts proposed that the difference between the indicators and the IDF map was an intentional design to alert civilians they are "approaching an area of elevated danger."

An analyst noted that some markers "seem to be placed close to roads or walls, rendering them easier to spot."

Civilian Confusion and Incidents

Exists already confusion among Gazans over locations where it is secure to travel.

A resident who resides near the interim demarcation in the east section of Gaza City Shejaiya district said that, despite assurances from Israel of clear indicators, he had observed none installed.

"Each day, we can see Israel's army equipment and soldiers at a fairly nearby distance, but we have no means of knowing whether we are in what is considered a 'secure area' or 'a hazardous location'," he explained. "We are continually exposed to danger, especially as we are forced to stay here because this is where our residence previously existed."

After the ceasefire came into effect, the Israeli military has reported a number of instances of people crossing the demarcation. On all occasions the military said it fired upon those involved.

Video acquired and geolocated showed the consequences of a incident on 17 October, which the local Civil Defence agency claimed resulted in the deaths of 11 non-combatants—including females and children all reportedly from the same household. The agency stated the local vehicle was targeted by Israel after approaching the Yellow Line to the east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The video showed rescue personnel examining the destroyed remains of a car and covering a nearby badly-mangled body of a minor with a light-colored cloth. Geolocation located the footage to a location approximately 125 meters over the Yellow Line indicated on maps by the Israeli military.

The Israeli military said warning shots were discharged towards a "suspicious car" that had crossed the line. The announcement added after the car did not to halt, soldiers engaged "to eliminate the threat."

Juridical Standing and Obligations

Meanwhile, the legal status of the demarcation has likewise been challenged.

"The state's responsibilities under the regulations of armed conflict cannot end including for those violating the Yellow Line," said Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "It can only target hostile fighters or those actively involved in hostilities, and in so doing it must not inflict excessive non-combatant casualties."

In a statement, an Israeli military representative said: "Israeli troops under the Southern Command persist to function to remove any danger to the personnel and to defend the residents of the State of Israel."

They added that the concrete markers are "being placed each 200 meters."

Context and Casualties

Israel initiated a defense campaign in Gaza