Assalamu alaikum - Israeli forces appear to be positioned further into Gaza than agreed
Assalamu alaikum. I wanted to share a summary of an investigation showing Israeli military positions in Gaza seem to extend beyond the agreed ceasefire boundary.
A BBC investigation found that Israeli forces control areas deeper inside Gaza than the ceasefire’s Yellow Line was supposed to allow. The agreement required Israeli units to pull back to a set boundary north, south and east of Gaza, but satellite pictures and video indicate markers have been placed hundreds of meters further in. Israel’s defense minister warned that anyone crossing the line “will be met with fire,” and there have already been fatal incidents when people moved past the boundary.
The boundary has been adjusted a few times since the ceasefire. On Oct. 14 Israel published an updated map for residents, yet footage checked against satellite data showed markers up to about 0.5 km further inside Gaza than the earlier line. Near the Al-Atatra area in the north, markers were reportedly moved by bulldozers along the Al-Rashid coastal road. South, near Khan Younis, about 10 markers were identified around 290 meters beyond where the Yellow Line should be.
Residents say the line isn’t clearly marked, which risks people being shot if they unknowingly approach it. One Gaza City resident near Shejaiya said they can see soldiers and vehicles close by every day but have no reliable way to know if they are inside a “safe” zone or a danger zone, and they’re trapped because their home is there.
There are troubling reports of civilian deaths after people crossed the line. On Oct. 17, 11 people - including women and children - were killed near the Zeitoun area when their vehicle reportedly went over the boundary. Video and images reviewed by investigators were geolocated to about 125 meters past the Yellow Line.
A professor of international law told investigators that Israel’s obligations under the law of armed conflict continue, even if people breach a declared boundary: only fighters or those directly participating in hostilities may be lawfully targeted, and attacks must avoid excessive civilian harm.
May Allah protect the innocent and grant safety to all civilians affected by this conflict. Please keep those suffering in your duas.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/