Israel to Expand Security Zones in Gaza to Include Rafah, Says Defence Minister

The Israeli Defence Minister announced plans to expand security zones in Gaza, marking Rafah as a key area in military efforts against Hamas.

In a significant development regarding the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared that the city of Rafah will now fall under expanded "security zones." This expansion comes as part of Israel's strategy to exert pressure on Hamas for the release of hostages taken during the protracted conflict. Katz emphasized that the Israeli military is committed to reducing the geographic footprint of Gaza, making it "smaller" and "more isolated," with Rafah and its surrounding areas now designated as a "no-go" region.

UN reports indicate that since the military's renewed offensive against Hamas began on March 18, approximately 390,000 Palestinians have been displaced, with no secure refuge as humanitarian aid supplies have run dry. The Israeli military’s operations have already rendered about two-thirds of Gaza into designated "no-go" zones, while ordering mass evacuations from Rafah and neighboring Khan Younis.

The military's actions in Rafah follow its ground offensive launched in May and include the establishment of a strategic corridor intended to strengthen border security against alleged arms smuggling. Approximately 280,000 residents lived in Rafah prior to the conflict, and recent military orders have prompted the majority to flee towards the al-Mawasi coastal area, now considered a temporary "humanitarian zone."

Minister Katz confirmed plans for a complete evacuation of Rafah to establish operational control over this region, suggesting that if Hamas does not comply with demands for hostage releases, intensified military operations could spread across the Gaza Strip.

Military analysts speculate that this strategy is aimed at concentrating Palestinian civilians along Gaza's coastline, which would facilitate Israeli operations against Hamas in urban environments. Local media report that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) intend to control aid deliveries directly to the coast, circumventing intermediaries.

Recent reports from the UN highlighted that the evacuation orders issued by the IDF might violate international law, particularly as they lack provisions for adequate living conditions for displaced populations. The Israeli government has defended its actions, claiming that evacuations protect civilians from being exploited as human shields by Hamas.

Tragically, a recent airstrike in eastern Gaza City resulted in the deaths of several civilians, including children, as Israeli operations target Hamas leadership in retaliation for prior violence. The statistics released from Gaza's health ministry indicate over 50,880 deaths since the escalation began, reflecting the severe humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict.