Israel denies report it moved Gaza withdrawal line

Israel’s military on Friday rejected a report that it moved the yellow line of demarcation further into the Gaza Strip, thereby expanding the area under its control.

Nor had troops crossed the line, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in response to the BBC report that, on average, the position of the concrete markers had shifted almost 300 metres deeper into Palestinian territory.

“The IDF is operating to visually mark the yellow line in accordance with the conditions on the ground and the ongoing operational situational assessment,” a military official told dpa.

Troops continued to ensure the line is visible to local residents “in order to reduce friction and prevent misunderstandings,” the official added, while rejecting “all claims that the yellow line has been moved.”

Established in October under the ceasefire with the Palestinian Islamist militia Hamas, the line is marked with yellow concrete blocks.

Palestinian residents are not allowed to cross without authorization, while Israeli troops are also instructed not to cross the line.

There have been several fatal incidents at the line since October, with the most recent on Tuesday leading to the deaths of several people.

According to the British broadcaster, satellite images show that the IDF has moved the blocks at a total of 16 locations.

Hamas has already accused Israel of moving the line.

Israeli forces control just over half of the Gaza Strip, which was heavily damaged in the war that began in October 2023 following the massacre by Hamas of more than 1,200 people in southern Israel.