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Recent findings indicate that Israeli military forces are exercising authority over more area inside Gaza than initially anticipated under the truce agreement.

The Ceasefire Deal and the Demarcation Boundary

Under the first phase of the deal, Israeli authorities agreed to withdraw to a demarcation line running along the north, south, and eastern sides of Gaza. The boundary was designated by a yellow marker on maps published by the military and has become referred to as the "Yellow Line."

However, new videos and satellite photographs reveal that markers positioned by Israeli troops in several locations to mark the divide have been placed hundreds of meters deeper within the strip than the anticipated withdrawal boundary.

Official Comments and Advisories

Israel's Defence Official Israel Katz—who instructed troops to place the distinctive blocks—warned that anyone crossing the boundary "will be met with gunfire." There have already occurred at minimum two fatal events near the boundary line.

When contacted, the Israeli military did not respond to the claims, stating only that: "IDF forces under the Southern Command have started marking the demarcation in the Gaza Strip to create operational clarity on the ground."

Absence of Clarity and Confusion

There's been a consistent lack of clarity regarding the exact location exactly the demarcation will be imposed, with three different maps published by the White House, Donald Trump, and the Israel's defense forces in the lead-up to the ceasefire agreement that came into force on October 10.

As of 14 October, the IDF issued the latest edition showing the demarcation on their online map, which is employed to communicate its stance to people in Gaza.

North and South Areas

Near the northern sector, adjacent to the al-Atatra area, drone footage from the Israeli military showed that a row of several distinctive markers were up to 520m deeper within the Strip than was expected from the IDF charts.

Footage verified showed personnel using heavy machinery and diggers to relocate the large yellow markers and place them along the coastal al-Rashid road.

A comparable scenario was observed in the south of Gaza, where a satellite photograph captured on October 19 revealed ten markers placed near the urban area of Khan Younis. The row of markers extends from 180m-290 meters inside the demarcation established by the IDF.

Experts Analysis

Several experts indicated that the markers were designed to establish a "safety area" between local residents and IDF forces. One expert stated the move would be in line with a ongoing "policy approach" that seeks to insulate the state from nearby areas it doesn't completely control.

"This gives the IDF space to manoeuvre and create a 'kill zone' targeting potential threats," Dr Andreas Krieg said. "Possible targets can be engaged before they reach the IDF perimeter. It is a somewhat like unclaimed territory that doesn't pertain to anyone—and Israeli authorities often to acquire that land from the opponent's portion rather than its own."

Three experts suggested that the disparity between the indicators and the IDF map was an deliberate strategy to warn civilians they are "entering an area of increased danger."

An analyst noted that some blocks "seem to be positioned near roads or walls, making them more straightforward to identify."

Resident Uncertainty and Events

There is already uncertainty within residents over locations where it is secure to travel.

Abdel Qader Ayman Bakr living resides close to the interim demarcation in the eastern part of Gaza City's Shejaiya district said that, despite promises from Israeli authorities of visible markings, he had observed none put in place.

"Daily, we can observe Israeli army equipment and soldiers at a relatively nearby distance, but we have no way of knowing whether we are in what is considered a 'secure area' or 'an active danger zone'," he said. "We're continually vulnerable to risk, particularly as we are compelled to remain here since this is where our residence once existed."

After the ceasefire came into effect, the IDF has reported a series of cases of individuals approaching the Yellow Line. On all instances the IDF said it engaged those present.

Video acquired and verified depicted the aftermath of one incident on October 17, which the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency claimed resulted in the deaths of 11 non-combatants—including women and children all allegedly from the same household. The agency said the Palestinians' car was targeted by Israeli forces after approaching the demarcation east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun area.

The video showed rescue workers examining the burnt out remnants of a vehicle and shrouding a nearby badly-mangled body of a minor with a light-colored sheet. Verification located the footage to a location around 125m beyond the demarcation marked on charts by the Israeli military.

The Israeli military said warning rounds were discharged at a "suspicious vehicle" that had breached the boundary. The statement noted after the car failed to halt, soldiers engaged "to eliminate the danger."

Juridical Status and Responsibilities

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

"Israel's responsibilities under the regulations of hostilities do not cease even for those breaching the Yellow Line," said Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "The military can solely engage enemy combatants or those actively participating in conflict, and in so doing it has to avoid cause excessive civilian harm."

In a statement, an Israel's defense representative stated: "Israeli troops under the Southern Command continue to operate to remove every threat to the troops and to defend the civilians of the State of the country."

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

Context and Fatalities

Israeli authorities initiated a military operation in Gaza