The Israeli military has moved concrete blocks indicating its control line deeper into Gaza, sowing confusion among the affected Palestinian populace. Satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify confirm that these blocks have been repositioned in at least three locations, altering the established boundary set under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas.
Initially, Israeli forces had agreed to pull back their troops beyond a line marked on military maps, known as the 'Yellow Line.' However, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz, individuals breaching this line would face military action. Since then, several incidents along this line have turned deadly.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have moved 16 blocks in total, including positions in Beit Lahia, Jabalia, and al-Tuffah. The blocks' new positions shifted, on average, approximately 295 meters deeper into Gaza, complicating the day-to-day lives of residents uncertain of their safety.
Current measurements indicate that the IDF has retained many markers that significantly diverge from the initially promised boundaries under the ceasefire agreement. An IDF spokesperson refuted claims that the Yellow Line's position has shifted, asserting that the military is merely marking locations based on existing conditions.
As Israeli forces have shifted their control deeper into Gaza, various reports of deadly incidents have emerged. On December 19, for instance, a bomb struck a school sheltering displaced people, resulting in numerous casualties, including children. Also documented were incidents in which civilians, such as a young man near the Yellow Line, were directly harmed by IDF actions.
In light of these developments, some experts describe the repositioning of these markers as a means of altering territorial control without formally recognizing changes to recognized borders. Critically, this situation has left Gazans in a precarious position, often unsure of where they stand regarding military boundaries.
The ongoing situation underscores the growing tension in the region, further complicated by military operations and the visible absence of marked boundaries, which has led to fears of escalation and ongoing conflict.
