After Killing Two Truck Drivers.. Israeli Army Alters Shooting Protocols at the Yellow Line in Gaza

SadaNews Translation - Israeli officers claimed on Monday evening that the Southern Command has changed its shooting procedures to target Palestinians near the yellow line with the Gaza Strip.

According to the officers who spoke to the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth's website, as translated by SadaNews, the commander of the Gaza Division, Liron Batito, issued orders to change the shooting instructions at the yellow line in recent weeks concerning the targeting of Palestinians who approach or cross the line.

An officer stationed at one of the yellow line sites stated: "Until recently, the battalion commander received instructions that any adult crossing the yellow line should be shot with the intention to kill. Now, this procedure has changed to a procedure aimed at detaining the suspected individual, ending with shooting in the knee at most."

A spokesperson for the Israeli army denied the reports, claiming that soldiers are instructed to neutralize any threat while avoiding harming civilians as much as possible. According to him, what occurred was an improvement in operational procedures following events considered problematic, allowing ground forces to assess the threat in each situation and respond according to operational needs.

However, the officers asserted that the instructions have practically changed, noting that the Gaza Division commander conducted rounds at military sites, explaining that the reason for the change stems from several incidents that triggered criticism, including the shooting of a Palestinian using crutches and another incident in which the Israeli army killed two truck drivers delivering humanitarian aid near the yellow line.

The officers confirmed that attempts to approach or cross the line occur daily, and that not everyone crossing it is necessarily armed or involved in armed activities, claiming that Hamas uses some of these individuals to study the Israeli army's operational patterns and troop deployments along the border.

Some officers complained about the easing of firing restrictions, arguing that it allows Hamas to manipulate them.

According to the Hebrew website, as translated by SadaNews, the main concern is that the Palestinian side may interpret the change in policy as a sign of weakness, which could undermine deterrence and encourage more attempts to test the Israeli army's response.