In the ongoing complexities surrounding the Gaza Strip, recent satellite imagery has unveiled Israel’s significant military presence beyond the designated ceasefire boundary known as the yellow line. The analysis conducted by ZezapTV highlights the strategic implications of this military positioning, indicating an occupation that persists even amidst diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation. Given the severe humanitarian concerns and the continuing plight of Palestinian populations, understanding these developments is crucial for shaping a narrative that accurately reflects the situation on the ground.
Satellite imagery analysis by ZezapTV reveals that the Israeli army maintains approximately 40 active military positions within the Gaza Strip, extending beyond the yellow line, an informal boundary established under the ceasefire agreement. This boundary had been intended to facilitate a pullback of troops; however, the data shows Israel’s upgrades to various military facilities, reinforcing its control over 58 percent of Gaza.
The military sites are predominantly concentrated in southern Gaza, but every governorate contains at least one active position. These sites include both pre-existing bases from earlier conflicts and newer constructions. The distribution of these military installations across the governorates is as follows: North Gaza (9), Gaza City (6), Deir el-Balah (1), Khan Younis (11), and Rafah (13).
A prominent military point in Gaza City is situated atop al-Muntar Hill in the Shujayea neighborhood, where recent imagery reveals ongoing construction activities, further solidifying Israel’s military footprint in the region. Since the ceasefire commenced, nearly 100 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli attacks across Gaza, with some incidents occurring perilously close to the yellow line.
On October 18, an Israeli assault resulted in the tragic deaths of 11 members of the Abu Shaaban family in Gaza City, according to local civil defense sources. The military claimed these individuals were targeted after their vehicle approached the yellow line. Notably, the absence of physical markers for this boundary has left many Palestinians uncertain about its location, prompting Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz to announce intentions to install visual indicators.
Currently, despite the ceasefire, Israel retains military control over a substantial portion of the Gaza Strip, impeding residents in areas such as Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoon, and parts of Khan Younis and Rafah City from returning to their homes.
Under the 20-point plan articulated by former U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s proposed withdrawal from Gaza is structured in three phases. The first phase has already seen forces retreat to the yellow line, while subsequent phases involve the mobilization of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to oversee security, further reducing Israeli military presence. The final phase aims at establishing a “security buffer zone,” with Palestinians remaining confined to an area smaller than previously held before the conflict.
While the plan offers a path for potential withdrawal, it raises critical questions regarding the practicality of such steps, boundaries of Palestinian territory, the role of the ISF, and the enduring implications for Palestinians both in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Importantly, the plan does not address whether Israel will sustain its long-standing aerial and maritime blockade, which has lasted nearly two decades. As events unfold, it remains essential to closely monitor these dynamics and their effects on local populations.
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