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Recent findings indicate that Israeli defense forces are maintaining authority over a larger territory inside the Gaza Strip than initially anticipated under the truce deal.

This Truce Agreement and the Yellow Boundary

According to the first phase of the agreement, Israeli authorities agreed to withdraw to a demarcation border extending along the northern, southern, and east edges of the Gaza Strip. This boundary was marked by a yellow marker on official charts published by the military and has become known as the "Yellow Line."

But, recent footage and satellite images show that markers positioned by Israeli troops in two areas to mark the divide have been set several hundreds of meters further within the territory than the expected withdrawal boundary.

Official Statements and Warnings

Israeli Defense Official the defense minister—who instructed soldiers to place the yellow markers—warned that individuals approaching the line "will be met with gunfire." There's been already occurred at minimum two fatal incidents near the demarcation line.

Upon approached, the Israeli military did not respond to the claims, stating simply that: "Israeli forces under the military command have started designating the demarcation in the Gaza Strip to establish tactical understanding on the ground."

Absence of Precision and Confusion

There's been a consistent lack of precision regarding the exact location precisely the demarcation will be imposed, with three different charts published by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israel's defense forces in the run up to the truce deal that came into force on 10 October.

On 14 October, the Israeli military issued the latest edition marking the Yellow Line on their digital map, which is employed to communicate its position to residents in Gaza.

North and South Gaza

Near the northern sector, close to the al-Atatra area, drone video from the Israeli military showed that a line of several yellow blocks were up to over 500 meters deeper within the Strip than was anticipated from the IDF charts.

Video geolocated depicted workers using heavy machinery and excavators to move the large yellow markers and position them along the seaside al-Rashid route.

A comparable situation was visible in the south of Gaza, where a aerial image captured on 19 October showed ten markers erected close to the urban area of Khan Younis. The line of markers ranges from 180m-290 meters inside the demarcation set out by the IDF.

Analysts Interpretation

Multiple analysts indicated that the blocks were intended to create a "safety area" separating Palestinians and IDF forces. One expert stated the move would be consistent with a long-term "policy approach" that aims to protect the state from nearby areas it does not fully administer.

"It gives the IDF room to manoeuvre and create a 'kill zone' targeting potential targets," an analyst commented. "Potential targets can be targeted before they approach the IDF boundary. It is a bit like unclaimed territory that does not pertain to anyone—and Israel often to acquire that territory from the adversary's portion not its own."

Several analysts suggested that the disparity separating the markers and the IDF chart was an intentional strategy to warn civilians they are "approaching an area of increased danger."

An analyst said that some markers "appear to be positioned close to pathways or walls, making them more straightforward to spot."

Civilian Confusion and Incidents

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

A resident living lives near the temporary boundary in the east part of Gaza City Shejaiya neighbourhood stated that, notwithstanding promises from Israeli authorities of clear markings, he had seen none put in place.

"Each day, we can observe Israeli military vehicles and soldiers at a fairly close range, but we have no means of knowing whether we are in what is deemed a 'secure area' or 'a hazardous location'," he said. "We're constantly vulnerable to risk, especially as we are forced to remain in this location because this is where our residence previously stood."

Since the truce was implemented, the Israeli military has documented a series of cases of people approaching the Yellow Line. On each instances the IDF said it fired upon those involved.

Footage acquired and geolocated depicted the aftermath of one event on 17 October, which the local Civil Defence authority said killed eleven civilians—including females and minors reportedly allegedly from the same family. The authority stated the local vehicle was attacked by Israeli forces after approaching the demarcation to the east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The video displayed rescue workers inspecting the burnt out remains of a vehicle and shrouding a nearby severely damaged body of a minor with a light-colored cloth. Geolocation placed the video to a spot around 125m over the demarcation marked on charts by the IDF.

The IDF stated warning rounds were discharged at a "suspect vehicle" that had breached the line. The statement noted when the vehicle failed to halt, soldiers engaged "to eliminate the threat."

Legal Standing and Obligations

Meanwhile, the legal status of the boundary has also been challenged.

"The state's responsibilities under the law of armed conflict do not cease including for those breaching the Yellow Line," commented Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "The military can only engage enemy combatants or those directly participating in hostilities, and in so doing it must avoid cause disproportionate civilian harm."

In a statement, an Israel's military representative stated: "Israeli troops under the Southern Command persist to function to remove every threat to the troops and to protect the residents of the nation of Israel."

The spokesperson added that the solid markers are "being placed every 200 meters."

Context and Fatalities

Israeli authorities initiated a military operation in Gaza