Israel has announced plans to seize more parts of the Gaza Strip, expanding its control over the territory in a move that experts say points to deeper, long-term Israeli dominance.
The country’s forces have moved into an area of northern Gaza, taking control of more territory days after the government announced plans to seize areas of the south. While there are no signs of a major boost in Israeli presence on the ground, Gaza has seen an intense bombing campaign, with at least 86 people killed in just 24 hours.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) is seizing territory and striking at Hamas targets, as well as destroying infrastructure, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He vowed to continue the pressure until Hamas agrees to revised ceasefire terms, which include securing hostages.
Netanyahu also mentioned the seizure of the Morag Corridor, a 14-kilometer strip of land in southern Gaza along the border with Egypt, which Israel had previously occupied as a major sticking point in ceasefire negotiations.
Experts say that this move could be the start of dividing Gaza into three broad sections for greater control. The Philadelphi corridor is also expected to become a dividing line between Khan Younis and Rafah if seized by Israeli forces.
The military expansion comes after Hamas rejected Israel’s latest proposal for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of 11 hostages. Hostage talks have stalled, with desperation growing among Palestinians as hunger reaches critical levels under Israel’s humanitarian blockade.
The human rights organization Gisha notes that Israel has already expanded its control of a buffer zone along the edges of the enclave, covering almost 52 square kilometers along the entire perimeter of the Strip.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/03/middleeast/netanyahu-israel-gaza-dividing-morag-intl/index.html