Israeli Soldiers Reveal ‘Death Line’ in Gaza Despite Ceasefire

An Associated Press report, citing three Israeli reservists, reveals that despite the declared ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continue to shoot at Palestinians along a zone known as the “Yellow Line.” According to these soldiers, this line has effectively become a “death boundary,” and crossing it is met with direct orders to “destroy.”

The sources say that after the fragile ceasefire was established in October, Israeli forces were stationed at a buffer zone marked by the Yellow Line, retaining control over more than half of Gaza. However, the exact location of this line has been unclear in many areas; in some parts, it is marked with yellow barrels and barriers, while in others, there are no clear signs. One soldier said that when commanders were asked about clear markings, they responded that Palestinians “should know where the line is.”

One of the soldiers, in his twenties, recounted how his colleagues celebrated after targeting a vehicle carrying Palestinians near this line, all occupants of which were killed. He said the order was clear: “If anyone crosses the line, shoot.” He emphasized that such incidents had become routine after the ceasefire.

The three soldiers, who were deployed in Gaza between October and January, spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. They stated that those who fire or provide coordinates for drone strikes are often unaware of the target’s identity, sometimes relying on guesses or the last known location of individuals.

The whistleblowing group “Breaking the Silence,” which documents Israeli soldiers’ testimonies, has stated that operational rules in many areas have effectively resulted in “shoot to kill” orders. Nadav Weiman, the executive director of the group, said that the policies of senior commanders have created conditions in which civilians lose their lives for crossing invisible lines.

Another soldier described the atmosphere among the troops as one where “human lives have no value,” and commanders emphasized maintaining the line “at any cost.” While snipers sometimes fired warning shots, the interpretation of orders often led to lethal shootings.

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health statistics, over 900 people have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, with dozens near or on the Yellow Line. An American NGO reported that deaths recorded near this line increased from January to April, with April being the deadliest month in Gaza this year.

In response to this report, the Israeli military stated that the area adjacent to the Yellow Line is a “sensitive operational zone,” with signs forbidding approach. The military claimed that merely approaching the line does not justify targeting civilians and that rules of engagement include warnings before using force.

Nevertheless, the soldiers’ accounts and findings by independent groups raise serious questions about the respect for civilian rights and the real meaning of the ceasefire in Gaza. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced control over 60% of Gaza and aims to increase it to 70%, some soldiers on the ground say the current situation is inconsistent with the concept of a ceasefire, and ongoing shootings have darkened prospects for ending the war.