Israel Expands Gaza Military Operations to Include Rafah as 'Security Zone'

The Israeli military is designating the southern city of Rafah as a new security zone, following evacuation orders that have displaced around 390,000 residents. This move is part of a broader strategy to isolate Hamas and manage the humanitarian crisis resulting from ongoing military operations in Gaza.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has confirmed the expansion of military-controlled "security zones" to encompass the southern city of Rafah in Gaza, a region housing around 280,000 residents prior to the current escalation of hostilities. Katz, during an operational visit to the area, stated that the actions aim to further isolate Gaza, thereby exerting pressure on Hamas to release the hostages it holds, while also solidifying Israeli military control over the territory.

The Israeli military has already established buffer zones that run along Gaza's borders as part of its strategy to prevent potential attacks. The recent order for civilians to evacuate Rafah, along with a new corridor to separate them from the nearby Khan Younis, marks the area of operations as the military intensifies its offensive against Hamas, which resumed in mid-March following a brief ceasefire. The United Nations has reported that approximately 390,000 Palestinians, nearly one-fifth of Gaza's population, have been displaced since the escalation began.

Rafah, a city already ravaged by an earlier ground offensive last May, is now facing renewed destruction. The military's new evacuation order has reportedly impacted 97% of Rafah and its surrounding areas, which total around 64 square kilometers. Displaced civilians have been directed to seek refuge in tent camps located in designated humanitarian zones, with many of these areas now rendered uninhabitable.

Katz emphasized the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) commitment to eliminating terrorist infrastructure within Gaza, asserting that the military aims to leave the territory "smaller" and "more isolated." He issued a warning to Hamas, stating that should the group fail to comply with hostilities, the IDF would escalate its military operations throughout Gaza.

Reports from military analysts suggest a strategy intended to push Palestinian civilians towards Gaza's coastline, potentially allowing the IDF to concentrate on countering Hamas in urban environments while regulating aid delivery to the region's residents. Human rights watchdogs have expressed concern, arguing that Israel's latest evacuation orders violate international law, and they criticize Israeli authorities for failing to provide adequate shelter or humanitarian assistance for displaced individuals.

On a separate note, Israeli military officials recently announced airstrikes in eastern Gaza that resulted in the death of a senior Hamas commander, further intensifying the ongoing conflict, which has already seen more than 50,880 fatalities in Gaza since October 2023. Israel's military actions arose following an unprecedented attack by Hamas that left approximately 1,200 people dead and over 250 hostages taken.