In the heart of a resurging conflict, Israel has markedly broadened its reach within the Gaza Strip after rekindling hostilities against Hamas. The Israeli military now controls over half of the territory and is steadily squeezing Palestinians into smaller fragments of land. The most concentrated area of military control lies near the Gaza border, where Israeli forces have demolished Palestinian homes, farmlands, and vital infrastructure, reportedly making it uninhabitable.
This enlargement of the military buffer zone has effectively doubled its size in recent days. Israel justifies this expanded control as a temporary strategy to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages taken during an October attack that reignited the conflict. However, this territory, divided by a corridor separating northern Gaza from the south, could potentially serve as a mechanism for indefinite control, suggest human rights advocates and Gaza specialists.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that even with the potential defeat of Hamas, Israel plans to retain security dominance in Gaza and encourage the exodus of Palestinian inhabitants. Since the conflict reignited 18 months ago, the destruction along the Israeli border and the systematic growth of the buffer zone have persisted, as confirmed by multiple Israeli soldiers.
“They obliterated anything functional, ensuring the Palestinians had nothing to return to,” recounted a soldier from a tank squad tasked with overseeing the demolition teams. Several soldiers shared their experiences anonymously, fearing repercussions. Breaking The Silence, an anti-occupation organization of veterans, released a report using soldier testimonies that described the transformation of the buffer zone into a barren wasteland.
When asked about these accounts, the Israeli army maintained its actions are intended to defend the country and enhance security, especially in southern regions devastated by the October attack. They assert that no harm to civilians is intentional and that all actions comply with international laws.
Israeli forces initially pushed Palestinians from communities near the border, creating a buffer more than a kilometer wide, according to Breaking The Silence. The military has also seized land across Gaza — known as the Netzarim Corridor — further dividing the territory and isolating the northern region, including Gaza City.
With the relaunching of conflict, this buffer zone has swollen to stretch up to 3 kilometers wide, significantly increasing the territory under Israeli control. As the buffer zones and Netzarim Corridor now comprise at least half of Gaza, there is speculation of possible permanent control over the area.
The consequences of these expansions are evident in the satellite images showing vast neighborhoods reduced to debris, and the establishment of numerous new Israeli military outposts since the ceasefire concluded. These expansions have significantly disrupted the lives of countless Palestinians who once inhabited these spaces.
One of the affected is Nidal Alzaanin, a resident whose land fell on the edge of this growing buffer zone. After the cessation of hostilities, he returned to his residence in Beit Hanoun, only to find it in ruins, forcing him to start anew in Gaza City.
The relentless Israeli ground offensives and airstrikes have left significant portions of Gaza’s towns in ruins, though the systematic dismantling of the buffer zone was notably more thorough. Several soldiers reported receiving orders to destroy farmlands, irrigation systems, and structures to prevent militants from finding refuge.
The buffer zone, which is devoid of marked boundaries, has been described by soldiers as a ‘kill zone.’ Many soldiers expressed that personal vengeance for past attacks against them fueled their actions.
While Israel asserts these attacks are driven by intelligence and avoid civilian harm, the intended duration of control over these territories remains vague. Netanyahu announced intentions to establish another corridor in southern Gaza to further pressure Hamas and facilitate the release of remaining hostages. He also mentioned future plans to implement a vision of relocating Palestinians from Gaza.
Analysts argue the buffer zone’s creation serves as a temporary measure to secure borders until Hamas is dismantled. Opposing voices, however, suggest this displacement of communities could represent war crimes, arguing that the intent to never allow returns to these regions qualifies as “ethnic cleansing.” Nonetheless, Israel refutes these claims, emphasizing the evacuation of civilians is a protective measure during military conflicts.