Israeli army chief claims 'yellow line' is new border inside Gaza

Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said on Sunday that the "yellow line" demarcation is the "new borderline" inside the Gaza Strip.

The "yellow line" marks the zone from which Israeli troops have not withdrawn in the Palestinian enclave, as part of the ceasefire arrangements that took effect on October 10.

"The 'yellow line' is a new borderline, serving as a forward defensive line for our communities and a line of operational activity," Zamir said during a visit to Beit Hanoun and Jabaliya in Gaza, where he met division commanders.

He said the military has assumed "operational control over extensive parts of the Gaza Strip," adding that Israeli forces "will remain" in those areas.

Zamir added that the army "will not allow Hamas to reestablish itself" and is preparing for "surprise attack scenarios," which he described as a cornerstone of the military's upcoming multi-year plan.

He said that the mission will not be complete until the last deceased hostage in Gaza, Ran Gvili, a police officer, is brought home. Hamas has released all 20 remaining living hostages and the bodies of 27 deceased hostages, except Gvili.

Israeli troops have shot and killed dozens of Palestinians, saying they were suspects who crossed the "yellow line." More than 370 people have been killed by Israeli fire since October 11, bringing the Palestinian death toll since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023 to 70,360, according to figures from Gaza's health authorities.