What is the ‘Yellow Line’ that may define new Gaza border?

“We have operational control over extensive parts of the Gaza Strip and we will remain on those defence lines,” Zamir said, according to an English-language transcript of his remarks provided by a military spokesperson.

Israel currently controls just over half of Gaza. Under the ceasefire plan, whose first phase is nearly complete, Israel is to withdraw from all of the territory, with the exception of a small buffer zone along the border.

In adhering to the Yellow Line, Israel will continue to control more than half of Gaza, including most agricultural land and the border crossing with Egypt. It would jeopardise the already-challenging second phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan that envisages the rebuilding of a demilitarised Gaza under international supervision, normalised relations between Israel and the Arab world and a possible pathway to Palestinian independence.

About the ceasefire plan

In September, Trump announced a 20-point peace plan which claims will end the war between Israel and Hamas and requires the militant group to return all the hostages, whether dead or alive, within 72 hours of ceasefire, and exclude Hamas from any future governing role in Palestine.

The ceasefire plan says withdrawals will be based upon “standards, milestones and timeframes linked to demilitarization” to be negotiated by Israel, the US, the international force and other “guarantors.”

However, there are no firm timelines for further withdrawals, and Zamir’s statement could be a signal that Israel may simply refuse to pull back further.

The Israeli government has not confirmed whether Zamir’s statement reflected official policy. However, an official said Israeli forces were “deployed in Gaza in accordance with the ceasefire outline” and accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire, The Guardian reported.