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New evidence indicate that Israel's military troops are maintaining control over more area inside Gaza than initially expected under the ceasefire deal.

This Truce Agreement and the Demarcation Boundary

Under the initial stage of the agreement, Israel committed to retreat to a boundary border extending along the northern, south, and east sides of the Gaza Strip. The divide was designated by a yellow marker on maps published by the defense forces and has become known as the "Demarcation Line."

However, recent videos and aerial photographs show that indicators placed by Israel's soldiers in several areas to mark the divide have been set several hundreds of yards further within the territory than the anticipated withdrawal boundary.

Government Statements and Advisories

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz—which ordered soldiers to place the yellow blocks—warned that individuals approaching the boundary "will be met with gunfire." There's been already occurred at minimum several fatal incidents near the boundary line.

Upon approached, the Israeli military did not address the claims, saying simply that: "Israeli troops under the military command have started marking the demarcation in the Gaza Strip to establish operational clarity on the ground."

Lack of Precision and Confusion

There's been a ongoing lack of precision about the exact location precisely the boundary will be imposed, with multiple separate maps posted by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israel's military in the lead-up to the ceasefire agreement that came into force on 10 October.

On October 14, the Israeli military released the most recent version showing the Yellow Line on their digital map, which is used to communicate its stance to people in the Gaza Strip.

North and South Gaza

Near the northern sector, close to the al-Atatra neighbourhood, drone footage from the Israeli military revealed that a line of several yellow markers were as much as 520m further inside the territory than would have been expected from the IDF maps.

Footage verified showed personnel using bulldozers and diggers to relocate the large yellow blocks and place them along the coastal al-Rashid route.

A similar scenario was visible in southern the Gaza Strip, where a satellite image captured on October 19 showed ten markers erected near the city of Khan Younis. The line of blocks extends from 180m-290m within the demarcation set out by the Israeli military.

Experts Interpretation

Multiple analysts suggested that the markers were designed to establish a "safety area" separating Palestinians and Israeli personnel. An analyst said the move would be in line with a long-term "strategic culture" that aims to protect Israel from adjacent territories it doesn't fully control.

"This provides the Israeli military space to manoeuvre and establish a 'kill zone' against potential targets," Dr Andreas Krieg commented. "Possible targets can be engaged prior to they approach the IDF perimeter. It is a bit like no man's land that doesn't pertain to either side—and Israel tends to acquire that territory from the adversary's portion rather than its territory."

Several experts proposed that the disparity separating the indicators and the IDF map was an deliberate strategy to alert civilians they are "approaching an zone of increased risk."

Noam Ostfeld said that several blocks "appear to be positioned close to roads or barriers, making them easier to spot."

Resident Confusion and Events

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

Abdel Qader Ayman Bakr living lives close to the interim demarcation in the east part of Gaza City's Shejaiya district said that, despite promises from Israeli authorities of clear indicators, he had observed none installed.

"Each day, we can observe Israel's army equipment and soldiers at a fairly nearby range, but we have no way of knowing whether we are in what is considered a 'secure area' or 'an active danger zone'," he explained. "We are constantly vulnerable to danger, particularly as we are compelled to remain in this location because this is where our home previously existed."

Since the truce came into effect, the Israeli military has reported a series of instances of people crossing the demarcation. On each occasions the IDF said it fired upon those involved.

Video acquired and verified showed the aftermath of one incident on October 17, which the local Civil Defence agency claimed resulted in the deaths of 11 civilians—including women and children all allegedly from the identical household. The authority stated the Palestinians' car was targeted by Israeli forces following approaching the demarcation east of Gaza City in the Zeitoun area.

The video showed emergency workers inspecting the burnt out remnants of a vehicle and shrouding a nearby severely damaged remains of a child with a light-colored sheet. Geolocation placed the video to a spot around 125m beyond the demarcation indicated on maps by the Israeli military.

The Israeli military stated alert shots were fired towards a "suspicious vehicle" that had crossed the boundary. The statement added when the car did not to halt, troops engaged "to eliminate the threat."

Juridical Standing and Responsibilities

At the same time, the legal standing of the demarcation has also been challenged.

"Israel's responsibilities under the law of armed conflict cannot end including for those violating the demarcation," said a legal expert. "It can only target hostile fighters or those actively involved in conflict, and in such actions it has to not cause excessive civilian harm."

Officially, an Israeli defense spokesperson said: "IDF troops under the military command persist to operate to remove every danger to the troops and to defend the civilians of the State of the country."

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

Background and Casualties

Israel launched a military operation in Gaza