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Israel to Enlarge Gaza “Security Zones” to Rafah Amidst Ongoing Conflict
Rafah, Gaza Strip – Israeli defense authorities have declared intentions to expand its designated “security zones” within Gaza to encompass the southern city of Rafah. This development signifies a further constriction of Palestinian territories as military actions intensify.
Military Actions Aim to Increase Pressure on Hamas
During a recent visit to the region, Israeli Minister Israel Katz stated that military forces are effectively making Gaza “smaller” and “more isolated.” This strategy, according to Katz, is designed to exert increased pressure on Hamas to facilitate the release of hostages currently held by the group.
Buffer Zone Expansion
The Israeli military has already taken control of land along the entirety of Gaza’s borders, establishing what it describes as a buffer zone intended to deter attacks.
Rafah Included in Expanded Zones
The current expansion to Rafah and its adjacent areas, constituting approximately one-fifth of Gaza, follows a recent military directive for civilian evacuation. A new corridor has been established, effectively separating civilians from the nearby city of Khan Younis.
UN Reports Widespread Displacement
According to United Nations (UN) reports, two-thirds of Gaza has been categorized as “no-go” zones or are under evacuation orders. This designation has been implemented since Israel resumed its offensive against Hamas on March 18, following the breakdown of a two-month ceasefire.
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- The UN indicates that approximately 390,000 Palestinians, nearly one-fifth of Gaza’s 2.1 million inhabitants, have been displaced again, facing a lack of secure refuge.
Humanitarian Aid Blocked, UN Warns of Supply Depletion
The UN is also issuing urgent warnings about the depletion of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and fuel. This critical shortage is attributed to Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, initiated on March 2.
Rafah Under Military Offensive
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated a ground offensive in Rafah last May. Before the conflict, Rafah was home to approximately 280,000 individuals. The offensive has resulted in significant destruction across large portions of the city.
Strategic Border Corridor Seized
Israeli forces have also seized control of a strategically vital strip of land along the border with Egypt, known as the “Philadelphi Corridor.” Israel asserts this action is crucial to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza and to impede Hamas’s rearmament efforts.
Residents Return and Renewed Evacuation Orders
During a ceasefire that began in January, roughly 100,000 residents returned to their damaged homes in Rafah after troops withdrew to border regions. However, on March 31, almost two weeks after renewed hostilities, the IDF issued a comprehensive evacuation order. The UN reported this order impacted 97% of Rafah and its surrounding governorate, encompassing 64 square kilometers (25 square miles).
Al-Mawasi Designated as Humanitarian Zone
Displaced individuals were directed to relocate to tent encampments in the coastal al-Mawasi area, previously designated by the IDF as a “humanitarian zone.”
Morag Corridor and Hostage Negotiations
Reports indicated that Rafah was largely deserted when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the military was “seizing the Morag Corridor.” This corridor refers to the location of a former Jewish settlement situated between Rafah and Khan Younis.
Netanyahu described the Morag Corridor as “the second Philadelphi,” suggesting it would increase pressure on Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages, of whom 24 are believed to be alive.
Defense Minister Inspects New Corridor
On Wednesday, Defense Minister Israel Katz visited troops stationed in the newly established corridor, accompanied by senior Israeli commanders and journalists.
Minister’s Statements on Military Operations
Minister Katz stated in a video released by his office: “The IDF is neutralizing militants, locating and preventing terrorist infrastructure, and fragmenting the Gaza Strip, including areas like the Morag corridor, where we had not previously operated.”
He added, “The population of Gaza is being evacuated from combat zones, and numerous areas are being seized and incorporated into the security zones of the State of Israel, resulting in a smaller and more isolated Gaza.”
Katz further warned that “if Hamas persists in its refusal and does not release the hostages imminently, the IDF will conduct intensive military operations throughout Gaza.”
Evacuation of Rafah Anticipated
An Israeli journalist from Ynet news website, who accompanied the minister, separately quoted Katz as stating: “All of Rafah will be evacuated and transformed into a security area. This is the course of action we are currently undertaking.”
IDF Operations Update
On Thursday morning, the IDF released a statement indicating that troops were continuing operations “in the Rafah area and along the Morag corridor.” The statement further detailed that forces had “neutralized several militants, located and dismantled terrorist infrastructure sites” while working to “establish operational control.”
Concerns Over Civilian Displacement Strategy
Israeli military analysts suggest a strategy is in place to displace Palestinian civilians towards the coast. This would enable Israeli forces to concentrate on engaging Hamas in urban centers.
Local media reports further indicate this strategy would also allow the IDF to assume control over the delivery of aid to the coast, bypassing both Hamas and international aid organizations.
Increased Evacuation Orders
The UN reported on Tuesday that the IDF had issued 15 evacuation orders in the preceding three weeks. These orders encompassed nearly 131 square kilometers (51 square miles), representing 36% of Gaza.
An additional 30% of the territory is designated as an Israeli “no-go” zone along Gaza’s borders and the Wadi Gaza river valley, which divides the territory into north and south.
International Law and Evacuation Concerns
The UN human rights office issued a warning last month that the evacuation orders are not compliant with international law. They accused Israel of failing to provide adequate accommodation for affected populations or ensure satisfactory conditions for hygiene, health, safety, and nutrition.
The Israeli government maintains that it is evacuating civilians to protect them from harm and prevent Hamas from using them as “human shields,” which they claim is a violation of international law.
Blockade and International Law
The UN has also stated that Israel’s five-week blockade of Gaza violates international law. International law mandates that occupying powers must ensure the basic needs of the civilian population under their control are met and allow for the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance.
Hamas Commander Reportedly Killed
In a separate development on Thursday, the IDF announced that a strike in eastern Gaza City on Wednesday resulted in the death of the commander of Hamas’s Shejaiya battalion. The IDF identified the commander as Haitham Sheikh Khalil, stating he was planning attacks from the area.
A local hospital reported that the same attack, which destroyed a four-story building, caused at least 29 fatalities, including children.
Background to Conflict
The Israeli military launched its campaign to dismantle Hamas following an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023. In that attack, approximately 1,200 people were killed in Israel, and 251 others were taken hostage.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, more than 50,880 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict.