The head of the Israeli military met with IDF troops in Gaza on Sunday and said the so-called “yellow line,” the vague boundary that separates the Israeli-occupied side of Gaza from the rest of the Strip, is a “new border,” suggesting Israel is planning a permanent occupation.
“We will not allow Hamas to reestablish itself. We control large parts of the Gaza Strip and stand along [strategic] lines. The Yellow Line is a new border line, a forward defensive line for the communities and an offensive line,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told troops in Gaza, according to The Times of Israel.
Israeli troops currently occupy more than 50% of Gaza, and the IDF has continued to launch attacks across Gaza despite the US-backed ceasefire deal, killing more than 370 Palestinians since the truce was supposed to go into effect. The IDF regularly claims to kill Palestinians who crossed the yellow line, but it is not clearly marked on the ground, and Gaza residents have reported people being killed well beyond the boundary.
Under the US deal, Israel is supposed to pull back further from the yellow line as its troops are replaced by an international force, but there’s no sign of progress in developing that force as countries willing to participate are hesitant due to the lack of a clear mission and over concerns that their troops could end up fighting Hamas on behalf of Israel.
During his visit to Gaza, which involved tours of Beit Hanoun and Jabalia, cities that have been completely destroyed by the IDF, Zamir noted that Israel was waiting for the return of one more body of a deceased Israeli captive, remains that Hamas is working to find under the rubble.
“The vast majority of our hostages have returned, but our mission will not be complete until the final fallen hostage, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, is brought back,” Zamir said.
The IDF chief added that the military “must not be complacent; we must prepare across all arenas and maintain readiness and vigilance alongside adherence to operational norms” and that the “IDF is preparing for the scenario of a surprise war; this is one of the cornerstones of the upcoming multi-year plan.”
