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New findings suggest that Israeli military troops are maintaining authority over a larger territory inside Gaza than initially anticipated under the truce deal.

This Truce Deal and the Demarcation Boundary

According to the first phase of the deal, Israel agreed to retreat to a boundary border extending along the northern, southern, and eastern sides of Gaza. This divide was marked by a distinctive line on maps released by the military and has become known as the "Demarcation Line."

However, new footage and satellite photographs show that markers positioned by Israeli soldiers in two areas to mark the boundary have been set several hundreds of yards further within the territory than the expected withdrawal line.

Government Statements and Warnings

Israel's Defence Official Israel Katz—who ordered troops to position the yellow blocks—stated that individuals approaching the boundary "would be met with gunfire." There's been already been at least two fatal events close to the boundary zone.

When approached, the Israeli military failed to address the claims, saying only that: "IDF troops under the Southern Command have begun marking the demarcation in the Gaza to create operational clarity on the ground."

Lack of Precision and Confusion

There has existed a ongoing lack of precision about the exact location exactly the boundary would be imposed, with three different maps posted by the White House, former U.S. President, and the Israel's defense forces in the lead-up to the truce deal that took effect on October 10.

As of October 14, the IDF issued the most recent edition showing the Yellow Line on their digital chart, which is used to communicate its stance to people in Gaza.

Northern and South Gaza

Near the northern sector, close to the al-Atatra area, aerial footage from the Israeli military revealed that a line of six distinctive markers were as much as 520m deeper inside the territory than would have been anticipated from the official maps.

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

A comparable scenario was observed in the south of Gaza, where a satellite image captured on 19 October revealed 10 indicators erected near the urban area of Khan Younis. The row of markers ranges from 180m-290m within the demarcation established by the IDF.

Analysts Interpretation

Multiple analysts suggested that the markers were intended to establish a "safety area" separating Palestinians and IDF forces. An expert said the move would be consistent with a ongoing "strategic culture" that seeks to protect the state from nearby territories it does not completely administer.

"It gives the IDF room to operate and create a 'engagement area' against possible threats," an analyst said. "Possible targets can be targeted before they approach the military perimeter. It is a bit like unclaimed territory that doesn't pertain to anyone—and Israeli authorities often to acquire that territory from the adversary's chunk not its own."

Several experts proposed that the disparity between the markers and the IDF chart was an intentional strategy to alert civilians they are "approaching an area of increased risk."

An analyst noted that several blocks "seem to be positioned close to pathways or barriers, rendering them easier to identify."

Resident Confusion and Incidents

Exists already uncertainty within residents over areas where it is secure to go.

A resident living resides near the interim demarcation in the eastern part of Gaza City Shejaiya district stated that, notwithstanding promises from Israel of visible markings, he had seen none installed.

"Daily, we can see Israeli military equipment and personnel at a fairly close distance, yet we have no way of knowing whether we are in what is deemed a 'safe zone' or 'an active danger zone'," he said. "We are continually vulnerable to risk, particularly as we are forced to stay in this location since this is where our residence previously stood."

After the ceasefire came into effect, the Israeli military has reported a number of instances of individuals crossing the demarcation. On all occasions the military said it fired upon those present.

Video obtained and geolocated showed the consequences of a incident on October 17, which the local Civil Defence agency said resulted in the deaths of eleven non-combatants—comprising females and children all allegedly from the identical household. The agency said the Palestinians' car was targeted by Israel after approaching the Yellow Line to the east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The footage showed rescue personnel inspecting the destroyed remains of a vehicle and covering a nearby badly-mangled body of a child with a light-colored sheet. Geolocation located the footage to a location around 125m over the demarcation indicated on charts by the Israeli military.

The IDF stated alert shots were fired at a "suspect vehicle" that had breached the boundary. The announcement noted when the vehicle did not to halt, troops opened fire "to eliminate the danger."

Legal Status and Obligations

Meanwhile, the juridical status of the boundary has likewise been challenged.

"Israel's responsibilities under the law of hostilities cannot cease including for those breaching the demarcation," said a legal expert. "The military can solely engage hostile combatants or those directly involved in hostilities, and in such actions it must not cause disproportionate civilian harm."

In a statement, an Israel's military spokesperson stated: "IDF troops under the Southern Command continue to operate to remove any threat to the personnel and to defend the civilians of the nation of Israel."

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

Background and Fatalities

Israeli authorities initiated a military operation in Gaza