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Recent evidence indicate that Israeli defense forces are maintaining control over a larger area inside the Gaza Strip than previously expected under the truce deal.

The Ceasefire Agreement and the Demarcation Boundary

According to the first phase of the deal, Israel agreed to withdraw to a boundary line extending along the northern, south, and east sides of Gaza. This divide was designated by a distinctive line on official charts released by the military and has become referred to as the "Demarcation Line."

However, new footage and satellite images reveal that indicators positioned by Israel's troops in two areas to mark the divide have been placed several hundreds of yards deeper inside the strip than the expected withdrawal boundary.

Government Statements and Warnings

Israeli Defense Minister the defense minister—who instructed soldiers to position the distinctive blocks—warned that anyone approaching the line "would be met with gunfire." There's been already occurred at least several deadly events close to the demarcation line.

When approached, the Israeli military failed to address the claims, stating only that: "Israeli troops under the military command have started designating the demarcation in the Gaza to establish operational clarity on the ground."

Absence of Precision and Uncertainty

There's been a consistent lack of clarity about where precisely the boundary would be imposed, with multiple separate charts published by the U.S. administration, former U.S. President, and the Israel's military in the run up to the ceasefire deal that came into force on 10 October.

On October 14, the IDF issued the most recent version showing the demarcation on their online map, which is employed to convey its stance to people in the Gaza Strip.

North and Southern Areas

In the north, adjacent to the al-Atatra area, aerial video from the IDF showed that a row of six distinctive markers were as much as 520m further inside the Strip than was expected from the official maps.

Footage verified depicted personnel using bulldozers and diggers to relocate the large distinctive markers and position them along the coastal al-Rashid route.

A similar scenario was visible in southern the Gaza Strip, where a aerial image taken on 19 October revealed ten markers erected close to the city of Khan Younis. The line of blocks extends between 180 meters-290 meters inside the Yellow Line established by the Israeli military.

Experts Interpretation

Several analysts indicated that the markers were designed to create a "safety area" separating Palestinians and Israeli forces. One analyst stated the move would be in line with a ongoing "policy approach" that seeks to insulate Israel from adjacent areas it does not fully administer.

"It gives the Israeli military space to operate and create a 'kill zone' targeting potential targets," an analyst said. "Potential targets can be engaged before they reach the IDF perimeter. It is a bit like no man's land that doesn't pertain to anyone—and Israel tends to acquire that territory from the opponent's portion not its own."

Several analysts proposed that the disparity between the indicators and the IDF map was an intentional strategy to warn civilians they are "entering an zone of increased risk."

Noam Ostfeld noted that several markers "seem to be positioned close to roads or barriers, making them easier to identify."

Civilian Confusion and Incidents

There is already uncertainty among Gazans over locations where it is secure to go.

Abdel Qader Ayman Bakr living resides near the temporary demarcation in the eastern part of Gaza City Shejaiya neighbourhood said that, despite assurances from Israeli authorities of clear markings, he had observed none put in place.

"Each day, we can observe Israeli army equipment and soldiers at a relatively nearby range, but we have no way of determining whether we are in what is deemed a 'secure area' or 'a hazardous location'," he said. "We're continually vulnerable to risk, especially as we are forced to stay here because this is where our residence previously stood."

Since the ceasefire was implemented, the Israeli military has reported a number of instances of individuals crossing the demarcation. On each occasions the IDF stated it engaged those involved.

Footage obtained and geolocated showed the consequences of one event on 17 October, which the local Civil Defence agency said resulted in the deaths of 11 non-combatants—comprising females and children all allegedly from the same family. The agency said the local car was targeted by Israeli forces following crossing the Yellow Line east of the city in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The video showed rescue workers examining the burnt out remains of a car and covering a adjacent severely damaged remains of a child with a light-colored sheet. Geolocation placed the footage to a spot approximately 125 meters over the Yellow Line indicated on maps by the Israeli military.

The IDF said alert rounds were fired towards a "suspicious vehicle" that had crossed the boundary. The statement added when the vehicle did not to halt, troops engaged "to remove the threat."

Legal Standing and Obligations

At the same time, the legal status of the boundary has also been challenged.

"The state's responsibilities under the law of armed conflict cannot cease including for those violating the demarcation," said a legal expert. "The military can solely engage enemy combatants or those directly participating in hostilities, and in such actions it must avoid inflict disproportionate civilian harm."

Officially, an Israeli defense spokesperson said: "Israeli troops under the Southern Command persist to function to eliminate every threat to the troops and to defend the civilians of the State of the country."

They further that the solid blocks are "positioned every 200 meters."

Context and Casualties

Israeli authorities initiated a military operation in Gaza