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New evidence suggest that Israel's military troops are maintaining authority over more area inside the Gaza Strip than previously anticipated under the truce deal.

This Truce Deal and the Yellow Boundary

Under the first phase of the deal, Israeli authorities agreed to withdraw to a demarcation border extending along the north, south, and east edges of the Gaza Strip. This divide was designated by a yellow marker on official charts published by the military and has become known as the "Demarcation Line."

But, new footage and satellite photographs reveal that markers positioned by Israel's troops in several areas to designate the divide have been placed hundreds of meters further inside the strip than the anticipated pullback line.

Government Statements and Advisories

Israeli Defence Minister the defense minister—who instructed troops to position the distinctive blocks—stated that individuals approaching the boundary "will be confronted with fire." There have already been at minimum several deadly incidents near the demarcation line.

Upon contacted, the Israeli military did not address the claims, saying only that: "IDF forces under the military command have started designating the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip to establish tactical understanding on the terrain."

Lack of Precision and Uncertainty

There has existed a consistent absence of clarity regarding where exactly the boundary will be established, with multiple separate charts posted by the White House, former U.S. President, and the Israel's defense forces in the lead-up to the truce agreement that took effect on 10 October.

On 14 October, the Israeli military issued the latest version showing the Yellow Line on their digital chart, which is employed to communicate its stance to residents in Gaza.

Northern and Southern Gaza

Near the northern sector, adjacent to the al-Atatra area, drone footage from the Israeli military showed that a line of several yellow markers were up to over 500 meters deeper inside the territory than was expected from the IDF maps.

Video geolocated depicted personnel using heavy machinery and excavators to relocate the heavy yellow markers and place them along the coastal al-Rashid route.

A comparable situation was visible in the south of Gaza, where a aerial photograph taken on 19 October showed 10 markers erected close to the urban area of Khan Younis. The line of markers ranges from 180m-290 meters within the Yellow Line set out by the IDF.

Analysts Analysis

Several experts indicated that the markers were designed to establish a "buffer zone" between Palestinians and Israeli personnel. An analyst said the move would be consistent with a long-term "policy approach" that aims to protect Israel from nearby areas it doesn't completely control.

"It gives the Israeli military room to manoeuvre and establish a 'kill zone' against possible threats," an analyst said. "Possible targets can be engaged before they reach the military perimeter. It is a somewhat like unclaimed territory that does not belong to anyone—and Israeli authorities tends to acquire that land from the opponent's chunk not its own."

Three experts proposed that the disparity separating the markers and the IDF chart was an deliberate design to warn residents they are "entering an zone of increased danger."

An analyst said that several markers "appear to be positioned close to pathways or walls, rendering them easier to spot."

Civilian Uncertainty and Events

There is already uncertainty within residents over locations where it is safe to go.

A resident living lives close to the temporary boundary in the eastern section of Gaza City's Shejaiya neighbourhood stated that, despite assurances from Israel of visible indicators, he had observed no such markers installed.

"Daily, we can see Israel's military vehicles and soldiers at a fairly nearby distance, but we have no means of determining whether we are in what is considered a 'safe zone' or 'a hazardous location'," he said. "We're constantly exposed to risk, especially as we are compelled to stay here since this is where our home once stood."

Since the truce came into effect, the IDF has reported a number of instances of individuals approaching the demarcation. On each occasions the military said it engaged those present.

Video acquired and verified showed the aftermath of one event on 17 October, which the local Civil Defence authority said resulted in the deaths of eleven civilians—comprising females and children all reportedly from the same family. The authority said the local vehicle was attacked by Israeli forces following approaching the demarcation to the east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun area.

The footage showed emergency personnel inspecting the burnt out remains of a vehicle and covering a adjacent severely damaged remains of a child with a white cloth. Geolocation placed the footage to a spot around 125 meters beyond the Yellow Line marked on charts by the IDF.

The IDF stated alert shots were fired towards a "suspicious vehicle" that had crossed the boundary. The statement noted when the car did not to stop, troops engaged "to eliminate the danger."

Legal Standing and Obligations

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

"The state's responsibilities under the regulations of hostilities cannot cease even for those breaching the demarcation," commented a legal expert. "It can only engage hostile fighters or those actively participating in hostilities, and in such actions it has to not inflict excessive non-combatant casualties."

Officially, an Israel's defense spokesperson stated: "IDF troops under the Southern Command persist to function to remove any danger to the personnel and to defend the residents of the nation of the country."

The spokesperson further that the concrete blocks are "being placed each 200 metres."

Context and Casualties

Israeli authorities launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip