Jan 16, 2026, 12:43 p.mJan 16, 2026, 12:43 p.m
According to a BBC report, the Israeli army has moved the so-called yellow line inland in the Gaza Strip, thereby increasing the area under its control. When asked, the army rejected the statement.
A tent camp of Palestinian residents in Gaza City. Image: keystone
The military’s withdrawal line is largely marked with yellow warning signs; Palestinian residents are not allowed to cross it on their own initiative. It was set out in the ceasefire agreement with the Islamist Hamas.
According to the British broadcaster BBC, satellite images show that the military has placed yellow concrete blocks as markers in a total of 16 positions. On average, the markings were moved almost 300 meters deeper into the Palestinian territory. The terrorist organization Hamas had already accused Israel of shifting the line. Israel’s military currently controls just over half of the coastal area that was heavily damaged in the Gaza war.
BBC: Sections still not marked – problem for residents
According to the BBC report, even after just over three months of ceasefire, some sections of the line are still unmarked. It is difficult for residents to recognize which areas are dangerous for them.
The skyline of the destroyed city.Image: keystone
The Israeli army said it was marking the line “according to the situation on the ground and the ongoing assessment of the situation.” The military is also informing the population about the route of the line “to reduce tensions and avoid misunderstandings,” it said in a statement. The military repeatedly attacks people who enter the territory it controls.
The Israeli army accuses Hamas members of constantly crossing the line and thereby violating the ceasefire agreement. It was only on Tuesday that six gunmen behind it shot at Israeli soldiers. According to the army, Israeli soldiers killed them.
Israel’s army controls more than half of the Gaza Strip
According to the BBC report, in some cases Israeli soldiers destroyed nearby buildings after the markers were moved. Israel’s military said emergency forces were destroying Hamas’ tunnel network, which was also located under civilian infrastructure. Demolition of the tunnels could lead to buildings collapsing on both sides of the line.
Israel’s army also rejected the BBC’s claim that military vehicles were repeatedly traveling beyond the so-called yellow line. (sda/dpa)