The Israeli military withdrew to the so-called Yellow Line, as part of the first phase of the US-brokered peace deal in Gaza. (Photo: Reuters) Israeli Army Chief Eyal Zamir has said that the ‘yellow line’ is the designated point to which the IDF has withdrawn as part of the Gaza peace deal is the new borderline inside the Gaza Strip.
Yellow line is the new border
Zamir made the comments on Sunday, during a visit to the Gaza Strip to meet IDF troops and division commanders.
“The ‘yellow line’ is a new borderline, serving as a forward defensive line for our communities and a line of operational activity,” Zamir said.
According to the IDF Chief, the military has assumed “operational control over extensive parts of the Gaza Strip,” adding that Israeli forces “will remain” in those areas.
“We will not allow Hamas to reestablish itself. We control large parts of the Gaza Strip and stand along lines,” Zamir said, according to a release by the IDF.
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Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
The Israeli military withdrew to the so-called yellow line, as part of the first phase of the US-brokered peace deal in Gaza. Despite this, Israel still controls 53 per cent of the Gaza Strip, including all of the southern city of Rafah and the northern city of Beit Hanoun.
The yellow line has remained a flashpoint ever since, and there have been several instances of violence and violation of the ceasefire along the demarcation, with both sides blaming the other for the escalation.
Second phase of Gaza peace plan
The redevelopment of Gaza is stipulated for the plan’s second phase, which has not begun due to ongoing political disagreements and ceasefire violations.
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It also involves the disarmament and demilitarisation of Hamas, the establishment of a new transitional governance body, and the deployment of an international stabilisation force.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the second phase is expected to begin shortly, once the last remaining hostage is returned.
