Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, announced the expansion of military "security zones" to encompass the southern city of Rafah, marking a significant shift in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. During a visit to the area, Katz emphasized that the military aims to leave Gaza "smaller" and "more isolated," applying pressure on Hamas to release the hostages it still holds. This new strategy comes after extensive evacuation orders were issued, with the United Nations estimating that 100,000 individuals fled Rafah last month following military directives.
The Israeli military has already seized large areas along the borders of Gaza, designated as buffer zones to shield against potential attacks. The recent shift includes the addition of Rafah, affecting roughly one-fifth of Gaza's total area. The military's orders have resulted in two-thirds of Gaza being classified as "no-go" zones, resulting in a total of 390,000 Palestinians being displaced since military operations against Hamas surged on March 18.
Humanitarian conditions in the region are dire, with critical shortages of food, medicine, and fuel reported after Israel blocked aid deliveries since March 2. The UN has condemned these evacuation orders as non-compliant with international law, stating they lack suitable accommodations and basic living conditions for those displaced.
Rafah, home to around 280,000 residents before the outbreak of hostilities, has seen significant destruction following a ground offensive initiated in May 2023. Approximately 100,000 residents returned during a brief ceasefire earlier this year, only to be displaced once again after the military's renewed campaign. The IDF recently carried out significant territorial seizures, including the strategic "Morag Corridor," aimed at curtailing weapons smuggling and exerting further control over the area.
Katz indicated that more intense military actions across Gaza would follow if Hamas continued to resist calls for hostage releases. Recent reports from local media reveal a military plan to direct remaining Palestinian civilians towards the coast, potentially concentrating military efforts on urban settings to effectively dismantle Hamas operations.
As tensions escalate, the UN highlighted that the ongoing military operations have raised significant human rights violations concerns, further complicating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Concurrently, the IDF reported the targeted killing of a prominent Hamas commander during a recent strike in eastern Gaza City, contributing to the overall death toll exceeding 50,880 individuals in Gaza since the conflict's resurgence.
