Israel is building a miles-long earthen barrier inside Gaza, entrenching its division
CAIRO (AP) — The Israeli military is quietly but quickly building a giant earthen barrier separating more than 50% of the country. Gaza Strip It controls the rest of the region, according to satellite images, further solidifying the division of the small Palestinian enclave.
More than 23 kilometers (14 miles) have been built through Palestinian communities destroyed by the army in recent months. This is equivalent to more than half its length. coastlineThe area is approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) long and 11 kilometers (7 miles) wide and is home to more than 2 million Palestinians.
When presented with satellite images, the Israeli military confirmed to The Associated Press that Israeli troops had built a physical barrier in the so-called yellow line, the border where Israeli troops withdrew. October ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The line was envisaged in the US-backed agreement as a temporary division of the region until Israel’s complete withdrawal.
But as the ceasefire stagnates, Israel appears to be starting to dig, raising Palestinian fears that the line is turning into a border. Neither the US Central Command, which is responsible for monitoring the ceasefire, nor Peace Boardbody led by the President of the United States Donald Trump He would eventually comment on the Barrier, which was supposed to police Gaza.
The military told the AP that in addition to the barrier, it has developed a “security zone” around the line equipped with intelligence and technological assets. When asked how long it would be extended, he refrained from giving details about the route of the barrier. It was stated that the barrier aims to prevent infiltration and protect Israeli troops and Israeli communities near Gaza.
Barrier construction continues rapidly
Since the ceasefire agreement came into force, Palestinians in Gaza have feared that Israel would not return the Gaza territory it controls. But few people seem to be aware of the levees currently being built around them; Because there is danger in even approaching that area.
Part of the levee network in southern Gaza was extended by more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) in two weeks this month, according to satellite images provided by Planet Labs PBC.
On July 1, the levee was approximately 500 meters (0.3 mi) long. By July 15, it was approximately 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) long and joined the Israeli-controlled coast. Ruins of the city of Rafah From Muwasi, site of some Palestine’s largest tent camps.
If construction continues in its current direction, it will join the longest section of the barrier, which runs almost uninterrupted for almost 17 kilometers (10 miles) from the city of Khan Younis in the south to near Gaza City in the north.
According to satellite images, construction in this area began in February and expansion efforts to the south appear to be continuing. Between June 21 and July 7, more than a kilometer (0.6 mi) was added near the Israeli military base built on the ruins of the town of Bani Suheila near Khan Younis.
In the far north of Gaza, just outside the largely destroyed town of Beit Lahia, several disconnected levees lie.
The height of the levees everywhere remains unclear. In some places the barriers appear to extend beyond the yellow line.
Israel has largely destroyed and depopulated half of Gaza it controlled
Gaza’s population is concentrated in the coastal area west of the yellow line; Most of them live in squalid tent camps and are in need of assistance.
On the other side of the line, satellite images show Israeli forces using bulldozers and explosives to raze the vast majority of buildings, nearly destroying many towns and Rafah that was once home to more than a quarter of a million people.
They dug new road networks and built new bases on the ruins of Palestinian towns. Agricultural lands were also destroyed. The Israeli military says it has destroyed the infrastructure used by Hamas.
The yellow line was never fully defined, either in the ceasefire agreement or by Israeli or US officials, and was inconsistently marked on the ground. The military told the AP it was trying to clearly mark the route of the yellow line to “reduce friction and prevent harm to uninvolved people.”
Israeli forces killed Palestinians approaching the line Or I passed it. The Israeli army announced that it opened fire on people believed to be militants threatening its soldiers. But those killed include children and other civilians who were apparently unaware of the line. Some soldiers said they did not always know who they were shooting at and received orders. kill everyone who crosses the border.
Israeli attacks have killed hundreds of Palestinians since ceasefire
Israeli forces have killed more than 1,100 Palestinians since the ceasefire began, mostly in airstrikes and drone strikes around Gaza. The Israeli military says it is targeting militants. Militant attacks killed five Israeli soldiers during the same period.
Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel must eventually withdraw its troops further from Gaza and replace them with an international security force. However, implementation of the agreement has been stalled for months.
A former UN diplomat responsible for coordinating the ceasefire blamed Hamas disarmament failure. Sporadic talks to reach a disarmament formula appear to have made little progress, and Hamas also accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire.
The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Israel responded with a punitive military offensive that killed more than 73,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
part of the Ministry recently resolved The Hamas-run government keeps detailed records that are generally considered reliable by UN agencies and international organizations. No distinction is made between civilians and militants, but it is stated that approximately half of the deaths were women and children.
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Frankel reported from Jerusalem.
