Israel has announced the completion of a new security corridor near Rafah, effectively cutting off the southern city from the rest of Gaza. This move marks a significant escalation, with the Israeli military signaling plans to expand operations “vigorously” across much of the enclave.
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Palestinians to evacuate combat zones, although no safe destination was specified. Israel reiterated its demand that Hamas release the remaining hostages as a condition for ending the war, asserting this is the only path to peace.
Israel Expands Control with Corridors as Rafah Evacuations and Humanitarian Crisis Deepen
Following the corridor’s establishment—dubbed “Morag” after a former Israeli settlement—Israeli forces began mass evacuations in Rafah, hinting at an imminent major ground offensive. These developments have sparked alarm among Palestinians and local authorities, with the Rafah municipality denouncing the moves as violations of international law.
Meanwhile, Israel’s monthlong blockade on food, fuel, and humanitarian supplies has created dire shortages for Gaza’s nearly 2 million residents. Aid groups strongly dispute Israel’s claim that sufficient aid entered during the previous ceasefire.
Military Corridor Cuts Rafah Off From Gaza as Humanitarian Access and Safety Routes CollapseThe new Morag corridor, along with Israel’s reassertion of the Netzarim corridor and the establishment of a broad buffer zone, has given Israel effective control over more than half of Gaza’s territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Morag to the Philadelphi corridor on the Egyptian border, which Israel seized earlier. These strategic gains appear to be part of a broader pressure campaign against Hamas, designed to isolate and weaken the group militarily and politically.
Mass Displacement, Rising Death Toll, and Mounting Tensions Over Hostage and Relocation Plans
As Israeli forces push deeper into Gaza, large-scale displacement continues. Palestinians, many already uprooted multiple times since the conflict began in October 2023, have crowded into makeshift camps and rubble-strewn areas. Katz suggested that Palestinians could “voluntarily” relocate to other countries, referencing a proposal from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
However, Palestinians overwhelmingly reject this idea, viewing it as an attempt at ethnic cleansing, a concern echoed by Human Rights Watch and other organizations.
Israeli airstrikes persisted across Gaza, with at least 21 Palestinians reportedly killed in the last 24 hours. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 50,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have died in the conflict, while Israel claims it has killed 20,000 militants, without independent verification.
Hamas warns that continued bombardment endangers the hostages still held in Gaza. Meanwhile, the family of Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage, called for renewed efforts to secure their release, as demonstrations in Tel Aviv continue to press for a deal to bring hostages home.