IDF soldiers deployed in the Gaza Strip report a noticeable reduction in airstrikes and state that neutralizing a threat beyond the Yellow Line buffer zone now requires authorization from the Chief of Staff, according to a report published Tuesday morning. The account echoes previous reports of tightened rules of engagement in both Gaza and Lebanon.
A report published Tuesday morning quotes IDF soldiers serving in the Gaza Strip stating that airstrikes have become noticeably less frequent, and that operations to neutralize threats beyond the Yellow Line buffer zone now require the personal authorization of the Chief of Staff. The account follows Monday’s reports from a senior IDF Southern Command officer, who confirmed that troops are barred from striking armed terrorists moving yellow marking barrels on the Gaza coast, and described the forces as being under "very significant risk."
The Zioneer reported Monday in multiple dispatches (all published at 14:27 Jerusalem) that armed terrorists were observed crossing the Yellow Line daily, with troops lacking authorization to engage. A senior officer additionally stated that the area in Gaza is "waking up" with numerous crossings not being enforced, and linked the restrictions to the Peace Council's disarmament roadmap. Prior to Monday, on August 6, soldiers in Gaza claimed updated rules of engagement restricted fire at Yellow Line crossers. On June 23, a soldier reported a militant crossed 600 meters into the line with no approval to shoot. On August 4, an instruction formalized that targeted eliminations in Gaza required Chief of Staff approval for non-immediate threats.
The Zioneer reported on June 20 that IDF approval thresholds for strikes in Lebanon had been sharply tightened, requiring Chief of Staff authorization. On June 21, soldiers on the Lebanon Yellow Line described similarly restrictive rules. The pattern indicates a broad policy change across both theaters.
The IDF has not officially confirmed any changes to rules of engagement in Gaza. The report does not specify when or where the soldiers were interviewed, and the claims remain unverified by the military.
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