JERUSALEM: Israel’s army chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, said Sunday the demarcation line where Israeli troops have withdrawn behind in Gaza is a “new border,” according to a military statement.

“We have operational control over extensive parts of the Gaza Strip and we will remain on those defense lines. The Yellow Line is a new border line — serving as a forward defensive line for our communities and a line of operational activity,” the army quoted Zamir as saying to reserve soldiers in Gaza.

Under the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Israeli forces have withdrawn to positions behind the so-called Yellow Line.