Israel is planning to incorporate the southern Gaza city of Rafah and its surrounding neighborhoods into a buffer zone along its border, according to Haaretz. The Israeli military has been establishing this zone as part of efforts to prevent Hamas militants from launching attacks from Gaza.
The proposed inclusion of Rafah would cover one-fifth of Gaza’s territory, effectively expanding the buffer zone that already exists in other parts of the coastal strip. This move is seen as a significant escalation of Israel’s military strategy, and its implications for civilians living in the area are unclear.
Haaretz will provide on-the-ground reporting and analysis to shed light on this developing story.
Source: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-04-09/ty-article-magazine/.premium/israel-preparing-to-turn-rafah-one-fifth-of-gaza-into-part-of-border-buffer-zone/00000196-19e6-d78d-a1de-1dff20590000