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New evidence suggest that Israeli military troops are maintaining authority over more territory within Gaza than initially anticipated under the truce agreement.

The Truce Deal and the Demarcation Boundary

According to the first stage of the deal, Israeli authorities agreed to withdraw to a demarcation line extending along the north, south, and east sides of Gaza. This boundary was marked by a yellow line on official charts published by the military and has become referred to as the "Yellow Line."

But, new footage and aerial images reveal that markers positioned by Israel's troops in several areas to designate the boundary have been placed hundreds of meters deeper inside the strip than the anticipated pullback line.

Official Comments and Warnings

Israeli Defence Minister the defense minister—who instructed soldiers to position the distinctive blocks—stated that anyone approaching the boundary "will be met with fire." There have already occurred at least two deadly incidents near the boundary line.

Upon approached, the Israeli military did not address the allegations, stating only that: "IDF forces under the Southern Command have begun designating the Yellow Line in the Gaza to create operational understanding on the terrain."

Absence of Clarity and Uncertainty

There's existed a ongoing absence of precision about where exactly the boundary would be established, with multiple separate charts posted by the U.S. administration, Donald Trump, and the Israeli military in the lead-up to the ceasefire deal that took effect on 10 October.

As of October 14, the IDF issued the most recent version showing the demarcation on their digital chart, which is used to communicate its position to residents in Gaza.

North and Southern Areas

Near the northern sector, close to the al-Atatra area, drone video from the Israeli military showed that a line of six yellow blocks were up to 520m deeper within the territory than would have been anticipated from the official maps.

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

A similar scenario was observed in the south of Gaza, where a aerial image taken on October 19 showed 10 indicators placed close to the urban area of Khan Younis. The row of markers ranges from 180 meters-290m within the Yellow Line set out by the Israeli military.

Analysts Interpretation

Multiple experts indicated that the markers were designed to create a "buffer zone" separating local residents and Israeli forces. An expert said the action would be consistent with a ongoing "policy approach" that aims to insulate Israel from nearby areas it does not fully control.

"This gives the IDF space to manoeuvre and establish a 'kill zone' targeting possible targets," an analyst commented. "Possible targets can be engaged prior to they approach the military boundary. It is a bit like unclaimed territory that does not belong to anyone—and Israel often to acquire that land from the opponent's chunk rather than its territory."

Three experts proposed that the difference separating the indicators and the IDF map was an intentional design to warn residents they are "entering an area of increased risk."

An analyst noted that several blocks "appear to be positioned near pathways or walls, rendering them more straightforward to spot."

Resident Confusion and Events

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

A resident who resides close to the interim demarcation in the eastern section of Gaza City's Shejaiya district stated that, notwithstanding promises from Israeli authorities of visible indicators, he had seen no such markers put in place.

"Each day, we can see Israeli army vehicles and soldiers at a relatively close distance, yet we have no way of knowing whether we are in what is deemed a 'secure area' or 'an active danger zone'," he explained. "We are constantly exposed to danger, especially since we are forced to stay in this location because this is where our residence once existed."

Since the ceasefire came into effect, the Israeli military has documented a number of instances of people approaching the demarcation. On each instances the IDF said it engaged those involved.

Video acquired and geolocated depicted the consequences of one incident on 17 October, which the local Civil Defence authority said killed eleven civilians—comprising females and children reportedly allegedly from the identical family. The agency stated the local vehicle was attacked by Israel after approaching the Yellow Line east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The footage displayed rescue workers examining the destroyed remnants of a vehicle and shrouding a nearby badly-mangled remains of a child with a white cloth. Geolocation located the video to a location around 125 meters over the demarcation indicated on charts by the Israeli military.

The Israeli military stated warning rounds were fired at a "suspect car" that had breached the boundary. The statement noted after the car did not to stop, troops engaged "to eliminate the danger."

Juridical Status and Responsibilities

Meanwhile, the juridical status of the demarcation has also been challenged.

"The state's responsibilities under the law of armed conflict cannot end even for those breaching the demarcation," commented Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "It can only engage enemy fighters or those directly participating in conflict, and in such actions it must avoid inflict disproportionate civilian casualties."

In a statement, an Israel's military spokesperson stated: "IDF forces under the Southern Command continue to function to eliminate any threat to the personnel and to defend the civilians of the State of the country."

They further that the concrete blocks are "being placed each 200 metres."

Background and Casualties

Israeli authorities launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip