History is changing, along with the map in the Middle East as the crisis in Gaza enters a new phase. In the early morning hours of Wednesday (4/10), the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that Israel and Hamas reached an agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire plan and prisoner exchange.
Through a post on his platform, Truth Social, Trump stated:
“ALL hostages will be released very soon and Israel will withdraw its troops to an agreed line.”
The “agreed line” refers to a map that Trump himself published on October 4, which shows a zone marked in yellow, which, according to American officials, has now been established as the “yellow line”. This is the initial withdrawal boundary for Israeli forces from Gaza.
After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas. When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next… pic.twitter.com/0VfaMSOqQ1
— Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 4, 2025
Which areas remain under Israeli control
Despite the agreement, Israel maintains control over more than 80% of Gaza, an area of approximately 365 square kilometers.
According to analysis by Al Jazeera’s Sanad team, the “yellow line” covers approximately 155 sq km, leaving 210 sq km under Israeli control, which is nearly 58% of the Gaza Strip.
Based on the map data, military presence is expected to remain in the following areas:
-Beit Lahiya
-Beit Hanoun
-Parts of the Shejaiya, Tuffah and Zeitoun neighborhoods in Gaza
-More than half of Khan Younis Governorate
-Almost the entire Rafah Governorate
Additionally, Israel will continue to control all crossing points in and out of Gaza, including the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
The three phases of gradual withdrawal
The 20-point plan presented on September 29 by Trump and Netanyahu, without Palestinian participation, envisions three stages of Israeli force withdrawal:
First phase – Yellow line
Hamas will release all remaining Israeli prisoners, alive and dead, while Israel will withdraw to the yellow line boundaries as indicated on the map.
Second phase – Red line
An International Stabilization Force (ISF) will be deployed, tasked with security monitoring and supporting Palestinian law enforcement authorities. At this stage, the Israeli army will withdraw further, to the red line.
Third phase – Security zone
Israel will limit its presence to a designated “security zone,” while an international administrative authority will take over governance and transition for Gaza’s future.
