Soldiers deployed in the Gaza Strip claim that the IDF has updated its rules of engagement in recent days, imposing restrictions on opening fire even when militants cross the 'Yellow Line' buffer zone. The soldiers also report limitations on the use of artillery and mortar fire. The IDF has not issued an official statement confirming the changes.
The claims come amid a broader context of reported restrictions on IDF rules of engagement in both Gaza and Lebanon. In June, The Zioneer reported a soldier's account of a militant crossing the Yellow Line in Gaza without authorization to shoot. Similar restrictions were reported in Lebanon, where troops were limited to defensive fire and required senior approval for strikes. The current claims, if confirmed, would represent a further tightening of operational freedom in the Gaza Strip. The soldiers' concerns center on the potential impact on operational freedom and risk to life, as the new rules reportedly require higher-level approval for engagements that were previously handled at the unit level. No official IDF confirmation or denial has been issued.
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