Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on a vehicle in northern Gaza on Friday, claiming it had violated the cease-fire demarcation line established just last week.
According to Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense emergency service, at least nine lives were lost in the incident. The agency, which operates under the Hamas-led Interior Ministry, stated that rescue teams were only able to access the site on Saturday, following coordination with the United Nations.
The terms of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas mandated that Israeli troops retreat to a pre-determined “Yellow Line” within Gaza. Despite this, the Israeli military retains control over approximately 53 percent of the territory and maintains a significant troop presence across the enclave.
In an official statement, the military asserted that its troops initially discharged warning shots at what they deemed a “suspicious vehicle” before engaging in full fire to “neutralize the threat.”
Mr. Basal clarified that the vehicle was a small bus carrying displaced individuals who had inadvertently crossed the Israeli withdrawal line. It remains unknown whether their crossing was intentional.
The Israeli military frequently issues warnings about restricted zones in Gaza where its forces are deployed, advising civilians to stay clear. However, many Gazans, often without internet access, struggling with confusing maps, or disoriented within the war-torn territory, sometimes find themselves uncertain if they have entered such a prohibited area.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced on Friday that he has ordered the physical demarcation of withdrawal lines on the ground. His office stated these markings would serve as a clear warning to “Hamas terrorists and Gaza residents” that any attempt to breach these lines would be met with military action.
The cease-fire, brokered with the assistance of the United States, has not yet brought a definitive end to the ongoing conflict. While major hostilities in Gaza have largely subsided, Israeli forces have continued to carry out occasional strikes against what they perceive as immediate threats.
Under the terms of the truce, Hamas released 20 living Israeli hostages and repatriated the remains of 10 others. In return, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and transferred over 100 Palestinian bodies to Gaza.
On Saturday, the Israeli government confirmed that Hamas had returned the body of 75-year-old Eliyahu Margalit during the night. Israeli authorities stated that Mr. Margalit was killed during the devastating Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which initiated the current conflict in Gaza, and his body was subsequently taken into the enclave by Palestinian militants.
Israeli officials have expressed strong criticism towards Hamas for not yet returning the remaining 18 bodies believed to be in Gaza. Hamas, however, countered on Wednesday, asserting that they have already handed over all remains currently in their possession, and that locating additional bodies is proving difficult and time-consuming due to the extensive destruction across Gaza.