Israeli soldiers share rare accounts from Gaza, describing ongoing killings despite the ceasefire

Three Israeli soldiers deployed in Gaza between October and January shared accounts with The Associated Press of continued killings of Palestinians near the so-called yellow line dividing Israeli-controlled and Palestinian areas, despite a ceasefire in effect since October. The soldiers, who spoke anonymously due to fears of ostracization, described a chaotic environment where troops were instructed to shoot anyone crossing the line, with some commanders privately expressing a desire to prolong the conflict. They said the ceasefire was poorly enforced, with shootings of civilians—including children—documented near the ambiguous boundary, which is sometimes marked by yellow blocks or barrels and other times invisible. The yellow line was established when Israel withdrew troops to a buffer zone after the ceasefire, retaining control of over half of Gaza. Under the agreement, Israel was supposed to complete a full withdrawal, but progress has stalled due to disputes over disarming Hamas, a central demand blocking further negotiations on troop withdrawals and reconstruction. The U.S.-backed diplomat overseeing the truce has reported deadlock on this issue, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. During a visit to central Gaza near the Maghazi refugee camp, The Associated Press observed a section of the yellow line marked by a dirt path and small yellow markings, with fortified Israeli military positions to the east. The soldiers’ accounts align with AP’s documentation of civilian killings close to the line, including incidents involving children playing near the boundary. One soldier dismissed the ceasefire as a ‘joke,’ emphasizing that lethal operations continued despite the fragile agreement. The soldiers also noted confusion among troops about rules of engagement, with some commanders publicly supporting the ceasefire while privately encouraging aggressive actions. Whistleblower veterans’ groups have echoed concerns about misidentification of targets and excessive force, further complicating efforts to stabilize the situation. Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its control over additional territory in Gaza, deepening the stalemate in diplomatic efforts.