Testimonies obtained by the Associated Press from Israeli reservists deployed inside Gaza confirm that killings of Palestinian civilians continued routinely despite the declared ceasefire. The soldiers described the ceasefire as “a joke,” saying the Israeli military maintained a shoot‑to‑kill posture across the Israeli‑controlled zone.
AP’s investigation found that troops were ordered to fire on Palestinians who approached or crossed the so‑called “yellow line,” an unmarked buffer zone Israel created after pulling back under the ceasefire terms.
Child Gaza 💔😢 pic.twitter.com/o3RaBB1ftg
— Basem Alhabel (@BAlhabel) June 1, 2026
Soldiers said civilians were repeatedly shot for coming near the line, including people who posed no threat.
One reservist recounted how troops celebrated after destroying a Palestinian civilian vehicle and killing everyone inside simply because it neared the zone.
A Palestinian, Youssef Ramadan, was killed and others injured this afternoon in an Israeli drone strike on a bike in the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/NqulbPQALO
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) June 1, 2026
He said such incidents were common and reflected a wider attitude that Palestinian lives carried no value.
The soldiers told AP that commanders publicly referenced the ceasefire but privately signaled they wanted the war to continue.
They described chaotic and inconsistent rules of engagement, with troops often firing based on instinct or distance rather than identification. A veterans’ whistleblower group confirmed that these practices were widespread.
AP verified that the yellow line is often invisible on the ground, leaving civilians unaware of its location.
Israel now controls more than half of Gaza’s territory under the ceasefire arrangement, though the agreement requires further withdrawal with no timeline attached.
AP documented multiple cases of Palestinian civilians—including children—shot near the line.
According to the soldiers, the killings “never stopped,” even seven months into the ceasefire.
Gaza: A young girl runs behind a water tanker carrying empty buckets in search of water. pic.twitter.com/wBw039aliZ
— TIMES OF GAZA (@Timesofgaza) May 31, 2026
Since the “ceasefire” took effect in October 2025, the ministry has documented 932 Palestinians killed and more than 2,900 injured, in addition to hundreds of bodies recovered from destroyed neighborhoods, in addition to dozens abducted since then.
والله إن أطفال غزة أمانة في أعناق الأمة، وستُسألون عنهم يوم لا ينفع مالٌ ولا بنون، فكونوا لهم عونًا بما استطعتم من دعمٍ أو دعاءٍ أو نشرٍ للخير 💔 pic.twitter.com/qr6mY9IMzR
— ثائر البنا، غزة 🇵🇸 (@thaeralbannaa) May 31, 2026
The cumulative toll since the beginning of the genocide on October 7, 2023, has now risen to 72,941 killed and 172,967 injured, though officials warn the real numbers are likely higher.
The Health Ministry It also noted that Israel has failed to meet the humanitarian obligations outlined in the agreement, allowing only a fraction of the required aid trucks to enter the Strip and severely restricting the movement of travelers.
