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Recent evidence suggest that Israel's defense forces are exercising control over a larger territory inside Gaza than initially expected under the ceasefire deal.

This Ceasefire Deal and the Demarcation Line

Under the initial phase of the deal, Israel committed to retreat to a boundary line running along the north, south, and east sides of Gaza. The boundary was marked by a distinctive marker on maps published by the military and has become referred to as the "Demarcation Line."

But, recent footage and satellite images reveal that indicators positioned by Israeli soldiers in two locations to designate the divide have been placed hundreds of meters further inside the strip than the anticipated withdrawal boundary.

Official Comments and Warnings

Israel's Defence Official Israel Katz—which ordered troops to place the distinctive markers—stated that anyone approaching the boundary "would be confronted with fire." There's been already been at least several deadly incidents near the boundary zone.

When contacted, the Israeli military did not address the claims, saying only that: "Israeli forces under the military command have begun designating the Yellow Line in the Gaza to create operational understanding on the ground."

Absence of Precision and Uncertainty

There's existed a consistent lack of clarity regarding where exactly the boundary will be established, with three separate maps posted by the White House, former U.S. President, and the Israeli military in the lead-up to the truce deal that took effect on 10 October.

As of 14 October, the IDF issued the most recent version marking the Yellow Line on their digital chart, which is used to convey its position to people in Gaza.

North and South Areas

In the north, adjacent to the al-Atatra neighbourhood, aerial video from the Israeli military revealed that a row of several yellow blocks were as much as over 500 meters deeper within the Strip than was expected from the IDF charts.

Video verified depicted personnel using bulldozers and excavators to move the large distinctive markers and place them along the coastal al-Rashid road.

A similar situation was visible in the south of Gaza, where a aerial photograph taken on October 19 showed 10 indicators erected near the city of Khan Younis. The row of markers extends between 180 meters-290 meters within the Yellow Line set out by the Israeli military.

Experts Analysis

Several experts suggested that the blocks were designed to create a "safety area" between Palestinians and Israeli personnel. One analyst stated the action would be in line with a long-term "strategic culture" that aims to protect the state from nearby areas it does not completely administer.

"This provides the IDF space to manoeuvre and create a 'engagement area' targeting possible targets," Dr Andreas Krieg said. "Possible targets can be engaged before they reach the IDF boundary. It is a bit like unclaimed territory that doesn't belong to either side—and Israel tends to acquire that land from the adversary's portion not its territory."

Three analysts suggested that the difference separating the markers and the IDF chart was an deliberate design to warn residents they are "entering an area of increased risk."

Noam Ostfeld noted that several blocks "seem to be positioned near roads or barriers, rendering them easier to spot."

Civilian Uncertainty and Events

There is already confusion among residents over locations where it is secure to go.

A resident who resides close to the interim boundary in the east part of Gaza City's Shejaiya district stated that, notwithstanding promises from Israeli authorities of clear indicators, he had observed no such markers put in place.

"Daily, we can observe Israeli military vehicles and personnel at a fairly close distance, but we have no way of determining whether we are in what is considered a 'safe zone' or 'a hazardous location'," he said. "We are constantly exposed to danger, especially since we are compelled to remain in this location since this is where our home previously existed."

After the ceasefire was implemented, the Israeli military has documented a number of instances of people crossing the Yellow Line. On each instances the IDF said it engaged those present.

Video obtained and geolocated showed the consequences of one incident on 17 October, which the Hamas-run emergency authority claimed killed eleven non-combatants—including women and children reportedly allegedly from the same family. The authority stated the local car was attacked by Israel after approaching the demarcation to the east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The video displayed rescue personnel examining the burnt out remnants of a vehicle and covering a nearby badly-mangled body of a child with a white sheet. Geolocation located the video to a spot around 125m over the Yellow Line indicated on maps by the Israeli military.

The IDF said warning shots were discharged towards a "suspicious vehicle" that had crossed the boundary. The announcement added when the vehicle did not to stop, troops engaged "to eliminate the threat."

Juridical Status and Obligations

Meanwhile, the legal status of the demarcation has also been questioned.

"Israel's obligations under the regulations of armed conflict cannot end including for those violating the demarcation," said a legal expert. "It can solely target enemy fighters or those actively participating in conflict, and in such actions it has to not cause excessive civilian casualties."

In a statement, an Israel's defense representative said: "Israeli troops under the military command continue to operate to remove every threat to the troops and to defend the residents of the nation of Israel."

They added that the solid blocks are "being placed each 200 metres."

Background and Fatalities

Israeli authorities initiated a defense campaign in the Gaza Strip