Israel Expands Buffer Zone: 50% of Gaza Under Control After Land Devastation

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel has significantly increased its control in the Gaza Strip, taking over more than half of the territory since its renewed military actions against Hamas last month. This expansion has forced many Palestinians into increasingly constrained areas.

The largest section now under Israeli control lies along the border with Gaza. Israeli forces have demolished homes, farms, and vital infrastructure, creating parts of Gaza that rights groups consider uninhabitable. This buffer zone has doubled in size recently.

Israeli officials argue that tightening control is necessary to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks. However, experts suggest this occupation may establish long-term control over the territory.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently stated that even after defeating Hamas, Israel plans to maintain security control over Gaza and encourage Palestinians to leave. Reports from soldiers indicate systematic destruction in the buffer zone has been ongoing since the war began, with claims that it has turned into a desolate wasteland.

A report by the group Breaking The Silence highlights soldiers’ accounts of the devastation in the buffer zone, reinforcing concerns about Israel’s future plans for Gaza. According to them, the destruction aims to eliminate any return for the Palestinians.

The Israeli military contends its actions are designed to protect its citizens, particularly those in areas hit hardest by Hamas’s actions. They assert adherence to international law while maintaining that civilian harm is not the goal.

Initially, Israeli troops created a buffer zone over a kilometer deep by forcing Palestinians from their homes. As military operations resumed last month, this zone expanded to as much as three kilometers into Gaza in several areas. Experts estimate that the buffer zone and associated corridors cover at least half of Gaza, impacting millions living in this already densely populated region.

Many neighborhoods within Gaza, which once supported a thriving agricultural community, are now in ruins. Satellite images starkly depict the destruction, with new Israeli military outposts emerging since the recent ceasefire ended.

Residents like Nidal Alzaanin have seen their lives uprooted and homes obliterated, often recounting heart-wrenching loss. Alzaanin, after attempting to rebuild, faced displacement once more as military operations intensified, illustrating the continued human toll of the conflict.

Reports from soldiers indicate that the buffer zone operates as a lawless area, where anyone who gets too close is met with deadly force. Despite claims that non-combatants are often protected, there are chilling admissions of violence that extend beyond targeted operations against militants.

Looking ahead, it’s unclear how long Israel intends to maintain this control. While Netanyahu emphasizes the importance of dismantling Hamas and ensuring security, this situation raises significant moral questions. Analysts have differing views on whether the buffer zone serves as a temporary measure or a longer-term strategy.

Critics argue that forced displacement constitutes potential war crimes, echoing concerns about ethnic cleansing, given the implications for returnees. Israel responds by framing its actions as protective measures.

This ongoing conflict remains a deeply contentious issue with many perspectives, highlighting the complexities surrounding security, human rights, and the fate of Gaza.



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Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Israel-Hamas war, Israel government, Gaza Strip, War and unrest, Donald Trump, Hamas, General news, AP Top News, International agreements, Religion, Yaakov Garb, World news, Nadia Hardman, Kobi Michael, Hostage situations, Palestinian territories government, Military and defense