Israel Expands Security Zones in Gaza, Encompassing Rafah Amid Continued Hostilities

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are expanding their security zones in Gaza to incorporate Rafah, resulting in increased civilian evacuations and deepening humanitarian crises as clashes with Hamas persist.

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has declared the expansion of security zones in Gaza to now include Rafah, following military efforts aimed at intensifying pressure on Hamas to free hostages. During a visit to Rafah, Katz made it clear that the military’s actions were designed to leave Gaza "smaller" and "more isolated." This latest move comes in light of an Israeli military evacuation order issued late last month, which has prompted about 100,000 residents in Rafah to flee the area.

The IDF has previously claimed control over substantial sections adjacent to Gaza's borders as buffer zones intended to thwart attacks. With roughly one-fifth of Gaza now categorized as a no-go zone, the United Nations reports that nearly 390,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced since the resurgence of hostilities post-ceasefire on March 18. The UN also highlighted the dire shortage of essential supplies, as Israel has halted humanitarian aid deliveries since early March.

Rafah, previously home to approximately 280,000 people, became a focal point of conflict during a ground offensive launched by the IDF last May, which devastated significant portions of the city. Following a brief lull in fighting, an influx of returning residents attempted to reclaim their homes. However, with the latest sweeping evacuation orders issued on March 31, the situation has drastically changed, with the IDF now directing displaced civilians to temporary camps in the coastal al-Mawasi area.

Katz stated, "We are eliminating terrorists and dismantling their infrastructure throughout Gaza." During his tour of the troops stationed at the newly established Morag corridor, he asserted that if Hamas does not yield to demands for the release of hostages, intensified military actions will be implemented across all areas of Gaza.

Israeli military experts suggest a strategy aimed at crowding Palestinian civilians toward coastal regions, allowing forces to concentrate on urban combat against Hamas while controlling aid deliveries. The UN has criticized these evacuation orders, arguing that they violate international law by failing to ensure humanitarian needs and adequate living conditions for affected civilians.

The Israeli government's stance defends evacuations as a necessary measure to safeguard civilians from becoming human shields amid ongoing conflicts. Meanwhile, an airstrike in eastern Gaza City on Wednesday resulted in the death of a high-ranking Hamas commander, marking yet another escalation in the ongoing violence that has left over 50,000 people dead in Gaza since the outbreak of tension following a significant attack on October 7, 2023.