GAZA CITY — Israel’s cabinet held a tense meeting on Friday to discuss how to deal with Palestinians approaching the so-called “yellow line” inside Gaza. According to Israel’s Channel 14, several ministers called for soldiers to open fire, even on “children and donkeys.”
During the meeting, Israel’s Deputy Chief of Staff said troops already shoot at adults who come near the line, while they stop children and animals. But National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir demanded a harsher approach. “Shoot the children and the donkeys too,” he said, claiming Israel must “stop showing mercy.”
Israel’s public broadcaster reported that Ben Gvir questioned, “Why don’t we shoot a child riding a donkey?” His remark came in response to a military official who explained that current orders allow firing only at armed adults, while children are detained.
Minister Dudi Amsalem, who coordinates between the government and the Knesset, mockingly asked, “Who should we shoot first, the child or the donkey?” Defense Minister Israel Katz concluded the discussion by saying, “Anyone who approaches the fence must know they could be harmed.”
The Israeli army has already killed many Palestinians for allegedly crossing the yellow line, a vague, invisible boundary inside Gaza. The line was established under US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire and prisoner-swap plan, which called for Israel to withdraw troops to that point as part of the agreement.
However, the line is not clearly marked for Palestinians, leaving civilians vulnerable to being shot without realizing they have crossed it.
Under Trump’s plan, Israel still controls 53% of Gaza’s territory after withdrawing to the yellow line. Future pullouts are expected in later phases of the ceasefire deal, which took effect on October 10, 2025.
So far, Israeli forces have partially withdrawn from Gaza City except for the Shujaiya, Tuffah, and Zaytoun neighborhoods. In southern Gaza, troops have pulled out from parts of Khan Younis, but Palestinians are still barred from entering Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, Rafah, and the Gaza coastline. — QNN
