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Israel retaking control of Netzarim Corridor, expanding ‘buffer’ in Gaza: Military
The Israeli military says its ongoing escalation in Gaza, which has already killed at least 436 people, is intended to create a “partial buffer” in the territory.
In a post on X, the military wrote that over the past 24 hours, its forces “have begun a focused ground operation in the center of the Gaza Strip and in the south with the aim of expanding the security area and creating a partial buffer between the north and south of the Strip”.
It added that as part of the operation, Israeli forces retook control of the Netzarim Corridor, from which they had withdrawn in February under phase one of the ceasefire. The Israeli-established corridor separates northern Gaza from the south.
Israel’s retaking of Netzarim Corridor clear violation, will spur more displacement
Not only is this a clear violation of the terms of the ceasefire by the Israeli military, but now it’s cutting the Gaza Strip into two parts. …
Those who just made their trip this morning to see remaining family members in the northern part of the Strip are going to be stuck there. And those who are in the central area and were hoping to get back to their homes at some point in the northern part of the Strip are not going to be able to do this.
The Israeli military presence in the area is equivalent to a ground invasion. That’s made clear by the statement. It’s going to be a part of a starting point, or a launching point, for the occupying forces to implement military operations in the area.
What we’re seeing here is an actual reoccupying of the Palestinian territories.
After almost 16 months of forced displacement, it’s going to cause further displacement and isolation between the two parts of the Strip.
Israel’s Katz threatens displacement in Gaza, stepped-up offensive
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza “combat zones” will start again soon.
In a statement, the minister warned that Israel is stepping up its new offensive. Katz said that if the captives held by Hamas in Gaza are not freed, “Israel will act with an intensity that you have not seen.”
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians had returned to what remained of their homes and Israeli forces had pulled back to a buffer zone along the border during the ceasefire in Gaza, which began in late January.
Palestinians in Gaza flee their homes amid renewed Israeli escalation
Palestinians are fleeing their homes once again in north Gaza, after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for several areas following heavy airstrikes that killed hundreds of people.
‘No forethought’ to Israel’s escalation in Gaza
Israel’s renewed escalation in Gaza has been driven by domestic political considerations but lacks a long-term strategy, Ori Goldberg, an Israeli political analyst, tells Al Jazeera.
“I don’t think Netanyahu is calculating, I think Netanyahu committed to a course of action that spoke of constant escalation, and I think this is the next step,” Goldberg said.
“This isn’t different from anything Israel has already done, and there’s no virtue or forethought in this move except making the move itself. Israel needs to be perceived as active. I think that’s what’s topmost on the prime minister’s mind.”
Goldberg added that any Israeli talk of beating Hamas is “delusional”.
“There is no real chance of beating of Hamas. This is a game of chicken basically, and both sides are waiting for external intervention to stop them from heading down this path, which is obviously unproductive for both,” he said.
“As far as Israel is concerned, this was a claim staked based on nothing but rhetoric and domestic political considerations. … This is about turning the clock back and pretending the last month and a half has not actually taken place.”
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