2025-04-10T20:22:30.000Z

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In a significant escalation of its military operations, Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced the expansion of security zones in Gaza to include the southern city of Rafah. This development comes as part of an ongoing campaign aimed at compelling Hamas to release hostages, with Katz stating that the militarys objective is to leave Gaza "smaller" and "more isolated." During his visit to the region, Katz emphasized the need to create buffer zones that extend along the entirety of Gaza's borders, which have been characterized by the Israeli military as essential for preventing attacks.

The recent decision to extend military operations to Rafah significantly impacts the already beleaguered civilian population, as the area encompasses nearly one-fifth of Gaza. This move follows the militarys previous evacuation orders for civilians, directing them toward established corridors that separate them from nearby Khan Younis. As a result, the United Nations reports that approximately two-thirds of Gaza is now designated as "no-go" zones, with over 390,000 Palestiniansalmost 20% of the enclave's 2.1 million residentsdisplaced once more since Israel resumed its offensive against Hamas on March 18. The humanitarian implications are dire, as many residents have nowhere safe to flee.

Compounding the crisis, the UN has raised alarms regarding the severe shortage of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and fuel, which have run out since Israel began blocking humanitarian aid deliveries on March 2. The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire as the conflict continues to ravage the territory.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initially launched a ground offensive in Rafah, which had a population of about 280,000 before the outbreak of hostilities, last May. This assault left extensive destruction in its wake. The IDF justified its actions by stating that seizing a strategically important strip of land along the Egyptian border, known as the "Philadelphi Corridor," was necessary to thwart arms smuggling operations aimed at rearming Hamas.

After a brief ceasefire that began in January, which saw around 100,000 residents return to their homes, the situation deteriorated again. On March 31, shortly after military operations resumed, the IDF issued a sweeping evacuation order that covered about 97% of Rafah and the surrounding governorate, encompassing approximately 64 square kilometers (about 25 square miles). Displaced residents were directed to seek refuge in tent camps located in the al-Mawasi area, designated as a "humanitarian zone" by the IDF.

On April 3, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that troops were moving to seize the Morag Corridor, a previously established Jewish settlement area between Rafah and Khan Younis. Netanyahu claimed this maneuver would exert additional pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages, of which 59 are believed to be alive.

During a recent visit to the troops deployed in the expanding corridor, Katz reaffirmed the military's mission, stating, "The IDF is eliminating terrorists, locating and thwarting terrorist infrastructure, and dismembering the Gaza Strip." He reiterated that the ongoing operations would leave Gaza smaller and more isolated, further intensifying the challenges faced by the civilian population.

Israeli military analysts speculate that the overarching strategy might involve pushing Palestinian civilians toward the coast. Such a maneuver could enable Israeli forces to concentrate efforts on dismantling Hamas strongholds in urban areas while simultaneously gaining control over humanitarian aid delivery, bypassing both Hamas and international aid organizations.

According to reports from local media, the IDF has issued 15 evacuation orders in the last three weeks, impacting approximately 131 square kilometers (51 square miles), or around 36% of Gaza. An additional 30% of the territory is classified as a no-go zone along Gaza's borders, particularly near the Wadi Gaza river valley, which serves as a natural division between the north and south of the region.

In a statement last month, the UN human rights office criticized these evacuation orders, arguing they failed to adhere to international law's requirements. The UN accused Israel of neglecting to provide adequate accommodation and ensuring essential health, safety, and nutritional conditions for the displaced population.

In defense of its actions, the Israeli government maintains that these evacuations serve to protect civilians from potential harm and prevent them from being utilized as "human shields" by Hamas, which is considered a violation of international law.

In a related development on Thursday, the IDF confirmed that a strike in eastern Gaza City resulted in the death of Haitham Sheikh Khalil, commander of Hamas's Shejaiya battalion, who was reportedly orchestrating attacks from the area. Tragically, this strike destroyed a four-story building, resulting in the deaths of at least 29 individuals, including several children.

The military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas was launched in response to a large-scale cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which led to the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 others. Since the onset of the conflict, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that over 50,880 individuals have lost their lives.