In recent months, Israeli soldiers stationed in the Gaza Strip described a state of ongoing tension despite an apparent ceasefire agreement. According to one reservist, scenes of soldiers celebrating after striking Palestinian vehicles have become routine. This atmosphere persisted particularly after the ceasefire was established in October.
During his deployment in Gaza, a soldier, who preferred to remain anonymous, observed how troops eagerly targeted individuals crossing or nearing the ‘yellow line,’ a demarcation of the Israeli-controlled part of the strip. ‘It was like a wilderness,’ he remarked about the situation, highlighting the order to shoot anyone who crossed the line.
Amid these operations, the delineation of engagement rules remained unclear. Some commanders superficially acknowledged the ceasefire, yet expressed a desire for the conflict to endure. Additionally, soldiers sometimes acted without sufficient information to accurately identify their targets, echoing concerns shared by veteran groups.
To call it a ceasefire is a joke.
Efforts to solidify the ceasefire agreement have stalled over issues such as the demilitarization of Hamas, crucial for further Israeli withdrawal or eventual reconstruction. While the ceasefire aimed to establish a buffer zone marked by yellow lines, its exact position has often been indistinct, sometimes only indicated by yellow markers or not at all.
This ambiguity has resulted in deadly incidents where civilians, including children, were shot near the yellow line. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 900 people have died since the ceasefire, with a portion of these deaths occurring close to or crossing the yellow line. The ministry did not specify how many of these individuals were militants.
An anonymous Israeli military commander stated that Hamas remains active on the opposite side of the line, frequently probing for weaknesses by moving both militants and civilians near the boundary. ‘There’s no reason for anyone to come close,’ he mentioned, adding that the line is now distinctly marked throughout its length. The Israeli military emphasized that soldiers are directed to act when encountering immediate threats, with the use of force supposedly preceded by warnings.
One soldier, on his second tour in Gaza, narrated how his unit often engaged individuals perceived as threats without precise information. Despite protocols requiring the provision of coordinates and superior approval before strikes, the fluid movements of people around the line made accuracy challenging.
Nadav Weiman of Breaking the Silence highlighted how permissive engagement policies have led to many civilian casualties. He said some military policies from senior commanders have cultivated a landscape where civilians are at risk for breaching invisible boundaries. One soldier’s account described instructions to ‘eliminate’ anyone crossing the yellow line.
Another soldier reflected on the stance among commanders and peers that human lives seemed undervalued. Their orders emphasized maintaining the line regardless of cost, often suggesting that more aggressive measures were necessary.
Internally, aid organizations noted an increase in proactive strikes by Israel across Gaza. According to data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, fatalities around the yellow line surged from January to April, highlighting the ongoing violence despite the supposed ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the gradual expansion of Israeli control, currently at 60% with goals to increase further.
Among the soldiers on the ground, the word ‘ceasefire’ seemed misleading. ‘We need to stop using this term,’ one soldier expressed, indicating a desire for true cessation of hostilities.
Josef Federman contributed additional reporting from the central Gaza Strip.