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New findings suggest that Israel's military troops are exercising control over more area inside Gaza than previously anticipated under the ceasefire deal.

This Truce Deal and the Demarcation Boundary

Under the initial phase of the agreement, Israeli authorities agreed to withdraw to a boundary border extending along the northern, southern, and eastern sides of Gaza. This boundary was marked by a distinctive marker on maps released by the defense forces and has come to be referred to as the "Demarcation Line."

But, new videos and aerial images show that markers placed by Israel's soldiers in two areas to mark the divide have been set several hundreds of meters deeper inside the territory than the expected withdrawal line.

Government Statements and Advisories

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz—who ordered troops to place the yellow markers—stated that individuals crossing the line "would be met with gunfire." There have already occurred at least several deadly incidents close to the boundary line.

Upon approached, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) failed to respond to the claims, saying simply that: "Israeli troops under the military command have begun marking the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip to create tactical understanding on the ground."

Absence of Clarity and Confusion

There's existed a ongoing absence of clarity regarding the exact location exactly the boundary will be established, with three different charts published by the White House, Donald Trump, and the Israeli military in the lead-up to the truce deal that came into force on 10 October.

As of 14 October, the Israeli military issued the most recent edition marking the demarcation on their digital map, which is used to convey its stance to people in Gaza.

Northern and South Gaza

Near the northern sector, close to the al-Atatra area, drone video from the Israeli military showed that a row of several distinctive blocks were as much as 520m further inside the Strip than was expected from the official maps.

Footage geolocated depicted workers using heavy machinery and excavators to move the large yellow blocks and place them along the seaside al-Rashid road.

A comparable situation was observed in the south of Gaza, where a aerial image taken on 19 October revealed ten markers placed close to the city of Khan Younis. The row of markers ranges from 180 meters-290 meters inside the Yellow Line set out by the IDF.

Analysts Interpretation

Multiple analysts suggested that the blocks were designed to create a "buffer zone" between Palestinians and Israeli personnel. An analyst stated the action would be in line with a ongoing "policy approach" that aims to insulate Israel from adjacent areas it doesn't completely administer.

"It gives the IDF space to manoeuvre and create a 'engagement area' targeting potential targets," an analyst said. "Potential threats can be targeted before they approach the IDF perimeter. It is a bit like unclaimed territory that does not pertain to anyone—and Israeli authorities tends to take that land from the adversary's portion rather than its own."

Three experts suggested that the difference between the markers and the IDF chart was an deliberate design to alert residents they are "entering an zone of elevated risk."

Noam Ostfeld said that some blocks "seem to be placed near pathways or walls, making them easier to spot."

Civilian Uncertainty and Incidents

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

A resident living lives near the interim boundary in the east part of Gaza City's Shejaiya neighbourhood said that, notwithstanding assurances from Israeli authorities of clear markings, he had seen none installed.

"Daily, we can observe Israel's army equipment and personnel at a relatively nearby distance, yet we have no means of knowing whether we are in what is deemed a 'secure area' or 'an active danger zone'," he explained. "We're continually exposed to danger, particularly since we are compelled to stay here because this is where our residence previously stood."

Since the truce was implemented, the IDF has documented a series of cases of people approaching the demarcation. On all occasions the IDF said it engaged those present.

Footage acquired and verified showed the aftermath of one incident on 17 October, which the Hamas-run emergency authority said resulted in the deaths of 11 non-combatants—including females and children all reportedly from the same household. The authority said the Palestinians' car was targeted by Israel after approaching the demarcation east of the city in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

The footage showed emergency workers inspecting the destroyed remains of a car and covering a adjacent severely damaged body of a child with a white sheet. Verification located the video to a spot around 125m over the demarcation indicated on maps by the IDF.

The IDF stated warning rounds were fired towards a "suspicious car" that had crossed the line. The announcement noted after the car failed to stop, troops engaged "to remove the threat."

Juridical Status and Obligations

At the same time, the juridical standing of the demarcation has also been questioned.

"The state's responsibilities under the regulations of hostilities do not end even for those breaching the demarcation," said Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne. "The military can only engage hostile combatants or those actively involved in conflict, and in so doing it must not inflict disproportionate civilian casualties."

In a statement, an Israel's defense spokesperson said: "Israeli forces under the Southern Command persist to function to remove every danger to the troops and to defend the civilians of the State of the country."

The spokesperson further that the solid markers are "being placed each 200 metres."

Background and Fatalities

Israeli authorities launched a defense campaign in the Gaza Strip