Tragedy at Gaza's 'Yellow Line': 77 Palestinians Killed Near Buffer Zone

A faintly marked line in Gaza, intended as a buffer under the October ceasefire, has become a deadly boundary for Palestinians. Those living near the so-called “yellow line” say they live in constant fear as Israeli soldiers fire at anyone approaching or crossing it. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, 447 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire, with at least 77 shot near the line , including 62 who crossed it , among them teenagers and young children. The ceasefire, agreed in October 2025, required Israeli forces to withdraw to a buffer zone designed to separate military and civilian areas. The zone stretches up to 7 km (4 miles) deep in parts of Gaza and includes farmland, elevated terrain, and border crossings, with the aim of reducing direct conflict. In practice, however, the line is often invisible or inconsistently marked , and in some areas, barriers such as yellow barrels and concrete blocks have been placed several hundred metres deeper than agreed , effectively expanding Israeli-controlled areas. Civilian casualties underscore the dangers of this ambiguity. In northern Gaza’s Jabaliya refugee camp, 17-year-old Zaher Shamia was playing with friends near the line on December 10 when soldiers fired. Witnesses and doctors confirmed he was shot and then crushed by a bulldozer . On December 7, 3-year-old Ahed al-Bayouk was struck by a stray projectile near her home in southern Gaza and died before reaching a clinic. Medical officials at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City report that civilians of all ages continue to arrive almost daily with injuries from straying near the line. The Israeli military maintains that most of those killed were militants and that troops follow rules of engagement , issuing warnings and warning shots before firing. Military officials also say deviations from official maps are minor. Palestinians and independent analysts, however, say the ambiguity puts civilians at constant risk, with homes and neighborhoods in danger. “Every few metres lost is another home we cannot shelter in,” said Gaza City resident Ahmed Abu Jahal . The issue has also drawn reactions from key international actors. The United States has called on all sides to strictly adhere to the ceasefire terms, stressing the need to avoid actions that could escalate tensions while pressing Hamas to comply with security provisions and hostage-related commitments. The United Nations has warned that the lack of clarity over enforcement is worsening an already dire humanitarian situation, urging Israel to protect civilians, halt demolitions and ensure unhindered access to aid in line with international law. Hamas, meanwhile, has accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire, saying the ambiguity surrounding the line has endangered civilians, while insisting it remains committed to the truce so long as Israel abides by its obligations.