Following the Hamas-led terror attacks on October 7, 2023, Israel launched a military offensive, establishing a broad buffer zone along its western border with Gaza and creating the Netzarim Corridor to isolate northern Gaza. By mid-April, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expanded their security zone, taking control of key areas including the Philadelphi Corridor near Egypt’s border and the Morag Corridor south of Khan Younis.
Claims by the IDF indicate the Israeli military has turned around 48% of Gaza into buffer zones and no-go areas, leaving an estimated 70% of the territory unsafe for civilians, according to the United Nations. These measures have resulted in the disappearance of previously designated humanitarian zones, with Al-Mawasi, once labeled a safe area, no longer recognized by the IDF as such.
As evacuations intensified, Palestinians were urged to move from northern Gaza to Gaza City or central and southern areas, which were increasingly bombarded. Many civilians report no area in Gaza is truly safe, as Israeli strikes have continued despite the military’s prior designations of safe zones. The situation has led to growing distress among residents, who feel trapped in confined spaces as the IDF expands its security measures.
Experts suggest that these tactics are designed to exert pressure on Hamas rather than aim at territorial annexation. Kobi Michael of the Institute for National Security Studies indicated that Israel’s military actions would likely persist until Hamas’s governance in Gaza is dismantled, viewing the current situation as part of an ongoing conflict rather than a straightforward territorial expansion. Meanwhile, the humanitarian impact continues to grow, with Palestinian officials claiming significant civilian casualties amidst the ongoing conflict.
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