The Israeli military has established a demarcation zone inside the Gaza Strip following a ceasefire agreement that began in October. The zone, which some residents and observers refer to as the “yellow line,” divides the territory and places large areas under direct Israeli military control.
According to military maps cited in reports, the zone extends between 1.5 and 6.5 kilometers (approximately 0.9 to 4 miles) westward from Gaza’s eastern boundary with Israel. The area covers an estimated 58 percent of the enclave. This division creates an eastern zone controlled by the Israeli military and a western area where Palestinian movement is less restricted.
During a visit to the Gaza Strip in December, the Israeli military’s chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, identified the demarcation as “a new border line.” His statement confirmed the establishment of a long-term military presence inside the territory.
Residents living near the line have reported ongoing military activity. Zaid Mohammed, a displaced Palestinian living in a tent with his family in Gaza City, described the conditions. “Shelling and gunfire continue around the clock,” Mohammed said. “Israeli soldiers are only a few hundred metres from here. At times, we hear bulldozers demolishing homes or levelling farmland.” He also noted the presence of drones and tanks near the barriers marking the zone.
Humanitarian organizations have documented the effects of the military operations and the new demarcation on the civilian population. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that at various points during the conflict, more than 70 percent of Gaza’s territory was under evacuation orders.
The conflict has resulted in widespread damage to infrastructure. A United Nations official stated last week that clearing the more than 60 million tonnes of rubble in Gaza would take over seven years. Reports indicate that over 80 percent of buildings in the enclave have been damaged or destroyed.
Aid agencies operating in the region have reported on the challenges facing civilians. Mental health professionals with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have documented high levels of anxiety and trauma among the population, linking them to displacement and proximity to military activity.
The demarcation line has also impacted access to resources. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has recorded extensive loss of farmland resulting from restricted access and military operations near boundary areas.
In many parts of Gaza, the line is not physically marked, requiring residents to assess safety based on military presence and activity. Aid organizations have noted that the zone’s boundaries have shifted at various times, creating uncertainty for civilians regarding movement and access to homes and agricultural land.
