Israeli army justifies firing in Gaza, citing the “yellow line”

On the fifth day of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces committed a series of violations that killed several Palestinians, including people inspecting their destroyed homes.

The Israeli military commented on the incidents, saying it “fired to remove a threat after spotting suspects who tried to cross the yellow line,” referring to a virtual withdrawal line set as part of the ceasefire arrangements. The justification was widely rejected by Palestinian and rights groups, which viewed it as an attempt to justify targeting civilians.

Several Palestinians were killed on Tuesday by Israeli fire east of Gaza City, despite the ceasefire entering its fifth day.

A medical source said three people were killed after Israeli drones fired on Palestinians checking their homes in the Shuja’iya neighborhood east of Gaza City.

A man was also killed and another wounded after an Israeli drone struck the town of al-Fukhari east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Several people were wounded when Israeli forces struck the Halawa displaced persons camp in Jabalia al-Balad in northern Gaza.