The Media Line: IDF Embed in Gaza Stresses Hamas’ Continual Attempts To Infiltrate Yellow Line 

IDF Embed in Gaza Stresses Hamas’ Continual Attempts To Infiltrate Yellow Line 

Repeated attempted crossings near the marked boundary illustrate the fragile reality of a ceasefire that has reduced large-scale fighting but left daily security tensions in place 

By Dario Sanchez/The Media Line 

[GAZA] A group of journalists entered the Gaza Strip on an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) embed Thursday as Israel and Hamas operate under a US-brokered ceasefire that is meant to create a “terror-free zone” through the disarmament of Hamas. 

The visit, led by Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, head of the International Media Branch of the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, focused on what Israel describes as persistent Hamas activity near an internal boundary referred to as the “Yellow Line.” The line is visibly marked and functions as a forward dividing point: Israel says areas on its side are used as a buffer for detection and response, with Hamas-controlled territory beyond it. 

Before entering, Shoshani briefed the group on safety and operational rules. “Anyone who goes in needed to sign the forms and needs to have a helmet and a vest,” he tells the journalists. “If there is any incident, the rule of thumb is go down, put your hands on the head, stay safe, don’t try and fight.” 

Shoshani described the route and the destination: “This is the Kissufim crossing. Across Kissufim is Deir al Balah, central camps. We will be going to an IDF post across Deir al Balah, a few hundred meters from the Yellow Line.” 

The convoy stopped at a humanitarian aid depot inside Gaza. “This is aid that has been approved and tested and checked and inspected by Israeli authorities and now waiting to be picked up by the international community,” Shoshani said. 

At an IDF position overlooking the Yellow Line, Shoshani said the mission was to prevent attacks and locate infrastructure. “We are here looking and observing, making sure that Hamas and its terrorists do not cross over the Yellow Line and try and carry out attacks against our troops,” he said, adding that troops also work “to find terror tunnels and to thwart them.” 

During the stop, Shoshani pointed to nearby sounds and activity and said he would need to verify what was happening. “Well, that’s a live incident that I’m not sure what’s happening,” he said. “It might be a violation or some sort of terrorists crossing the Yellow Line and troops responding.” 

He described Hamas as active “on a daily basis,” citing what he said were discoveries in the area: “We found tunnels here. We found explosive devices here. We found new weapons that they have deployed in this area.” He also referenced sniper fire: “We’ve seen snipers from those buildings right there. There could be a Hamas sniper firing at our troops.” 

Shoshani argued that the ceasefire’s next hurdle is disarmament. “The next step is disarmament,” he said. “The first sentence in the 20-point peace plan, the ceasefire plan, says Gaza will be a terror-free zone.” 

The visit comes as debate continues over press access to Hamas-controlled areas. Many journalists and press freedom groups have criticized limits on independent entry into Hamas-controlled areas, arguing that restrictions make it harder to verify damage claims, interview residents without supervision, and document conditions beyond what any side chooses to show. Israel says the risk environment remains extreme—citing unexploded ordnance, tunnels, and the threat of kidnappings or attacks—and argues that tight control is necessary for operational security and troop protection. 

Shoshani said he plans to continue facilitating press visits. Asked by The Media Line how many reporters have entered Gaza through such access, he replied: “Hundreds of reporters.”