Israel's 'yellow line' in Gaza gives Netanyahu room for manoeuvre

Israeli forces have pulled back to a boundary which leaves Israel in control of most of Gaza - keeping far-right ministers on Netanyahu's side, for now.

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One Israeli newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, referred to it as "effectively the new border" in Gaza.

It's a remark that will please the far-right coalition partners of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The fortifications and demarcations Israel is now building along this boundary are meant to clearly divide the territory, but they may also help to blur the differing hopes and expectations of Mr Netanyahu's allies in Washington and at home.

How long he can keep both sets of expectations in play depends largely on this next stage of negotiations.