Israel Seeks Permanent Border with Gaza's 'Yellow Line', Military Chief Reveals
In a move that appears to contradict the terms of Donald Trump's ceasefire plan for Gaza, Israel's military chief has confirmed that the disputed territory along the "yellow line" will serve as a permanent border. The 50-meter wide strip was designated by Trump as part of his 20-point plan, which calls for an international security force to be deployed in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
However, General Eyal Zamir, Israel's chief of general staff, has stated that the "yellow line" will remain a vital defensive perimeter, controlling more than half of Gaza and providing a stronghold over key areas such as agricultural land and border crossings. By asserting control over this territory, Israel appears to be moving away from the Trump administration's commitment to gradually withdraw its forces in exchange for international security involvement.
The implications of Zamir's statement are significant, particularly given the UN resolution passed last month authorizing the creation of an international security force. However, with no countries committing troops to stand up this force, it remains unclear how effectively Israel will be able to enforce a ceasefire or demilitarize Gaza under the terms of Trump's plan.
The "yellow line" has already been marked by concrete bollards and barriers, some of which extend beyond the agreed boundary. Soldiers stationed along this front have repeatedly clashed with Palestinians accused of crossing it, raising concerns about the use of force in enforcing the ceasefire. The US military has also been exploring ways to partition Gaza along these lines, with one official describing reunification as an "aspirational" goal.
While Israel has yet to confirm whether Zamir's statement reflects its official policy, his comments have sparked widespread concern among Palestinian and international observers about the future of the conflict in Gaza. As tensions remain high, it appears that Israel is pushing for a permanent status quo along the "yellow line", which may hinder efforts at peace and reconciliation in the region.
In a move that appears to contradict the terms of Donald Trump's ceasefire plan for Gaza, Israel's military chief has confirmed that the disputed territory along the "yellow line" will serve as a permanent border. The 50-meter wide strip was designated by Trump as part of his 20-point plan, which calls for an international security force to be deployed in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
However, General Eyal Zamir, Israel's chief of general staff, has stated that the "yellow line" will remain a vital defensive perimeter, controlling more than half of Gaza and providing a stronghold over key areas such as agricultural land and border crossings. By asserting control over this territory, Israel appears to be moving away from the Trump administration's commitment to gradually withdraw its forces in exchange for international security involvement.
The implications of Zamir's statement are significant, particularly given the UN resolution passed last month authorizing the creation of an international security force. However, with no countries committing troops to stand up this force, it remains unclear how effectively Israel will be able to enforce a ceasefire or demilitarize Gaza under the terms of Trump's plan.
The "yellow line" has already been marked by concrete bollards and barriers, some of which extend beyond the agreed boundary. Soldiers stationed along this front have repeatedly clashed with Palestinians accused of crossing it, raising concerns about the use of force in enforcing the ceasefire. The US military has also been exploring ways to partition Gaza along these lines, with one official describing reunification as an "aspirational" goal.
While Israel has yet to confirm whether Zamir's statement reflects its official policy, his comments have sparked widespread concern among Palestinian and international observers about the future of the conflict in Gaza. As tensions remain high, it appears that Israel is pushing for a permanent status quo along the "yellow line", which may hinder efforts at peace and reconciliation in the region.