Israel is trying to divide Gaza in half along the ‘Yellow Line.’ What is it, and is it here to stay?

from Mondoweiss

Today, there are essentially two Gazas. One is ruled by Hamas as the de facto governing body in the Strip, and makes up about 47% of the territory. The remaining 53% is under the total military control of the Israeli army. 

Separating these two zones is an invisible border that’s being called “the Yellow Line,” splitting Gaza roughly in half down the middle. Even though Israel has been placing yellow cement blocks all across Gaza to demarcate the line, it’s supposed to be temporary. But what makes it very real is the number of people who are being killed near it.

According to the ongoing ceasefire agreement brokered by U.S. President Trump, this “temporary” withdrawal line is supposed to be moved back after the end of the ceasefire’s first phase, which is approaching its one-month mark. Negotiations are underway to advance to the second phase, but recent statements and reports indicate that the current division of Gaza could be permanent. There’s also something else to consider, and it’s even more troubling: what if the partition of Gaza is the point?...

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