The Israeli military appears to have established a deeper control over Gaza than stipulated in the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, according to an analysis by BBC Verify. The agreement’s initial phase indicated that Israel would retreat to a designated boundary, depicted by a yellow line in military maps.
Recent videos and satellite imagery suggest that markers set by Israeli forces have been positioned as much as 520 meters inside the Gaza Strip, beyond the expected withdrawal line. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, responsible for marking the boundary, warned that crossing this line would result in military response. Reports indicate that at least two incidents involving Israeli fire occurred near this boundary.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not clarified these claims, simply stating that they are marking the Yellow Line to provide tactical clarity. The boundary’s precise location has been inconsistent, with multiple maps issued by various authorities prior to the ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10.
In specific instances, drone footage has confirmed that markers, such as yellow blocks, are being placed significantly deeper than indicated in IDF maps, raising questions regarding the scale of territory control. Subsequent satellite images also show deployments in southern Gaza that coincide with similar discrepancies, suggesting a broader control than initially outlined.
Experts have suggested that the placement of these markers may create a buffer zone, thereby allowing the IDF to engage potential threats from a distance. Additionally, there is uncertainty among Gazans about safe areas to travel, as some residents report a lack of visible markers that could indicate safe zones.
The legal implications of the boundary have also been questioned, particularly regarding the IDF’s obligations under international law in relation to civilian harm. The current military operations were initiated in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas, which resulted in extensive casualties and hostage situations. The ongoing conflict has reportedly led to over 68,000 fatalities in Gaza as a result of Israeli actions.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2y00g4x29o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss