Key facts
- Israel is constructing a miles-long earthen barrier within Gaza, separating controlled territory from the rest.
- Over 23 kilometers (14 miles) of the barrier have been built.
- The barrier runs through areas where Israeli troops control territory based on the October ceasefire deal.
- The Israeli military stated the barrier aims to prevent infiltration and protect troops and nearby communities.
- Satellite imagery shows rapid construction, with some sections extending significantly in just two weeks.
The Israeli military is rapidly constructing a substantial earthen barrier within the Gaza Strip, effectively dividing the territory it controls from the remainder. Satellite imagery indicates that over 23 kilometers (14 miles) of this barrier have been erected in recent months, passing through areas that have been demolished by Israeli forces. This construction is heightening Palestinian fears that the boundary, known as the 'yellow line,' is transforming into a permanent division.
The barrier is part of a broader 'security zone' established by the military, which includes intelligence and technological assets. While the military stated the barrier's purpose is to prevent infiltration and protect Israeli troops and communities, details on its full extent remain undisclosed. Satellite images show rapid progress, with some sections extending by over 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) in just two weeks.
Since the ceasefire deal, Palestinians in Gaza have worried about a prolonged Israeli presence, with few aware of the barrier's construction due to the dangers of approaching the area. The barrier connects to a nearly unbroken 17-kilometer (10-mile) stretch running from near Khan Younis to Gaza City, with work on extensions continuing. Several unconnected berms are also present in the far north.
Israeli forces have largely destroyed and depopulated the half of Gaza they control, leveling towns and carving new road networks. The military asserts this is to demolish infrastructure used by Hamas. The 'yellow line' itself has been inconsistently defined and marked, leading to instances where Israeli forces have killed Palestinians, including civilians, who approached or crossed it, with soldiers sometimes unsure of their orders.
Implementation of the ceasefire deal, which includes an eventual Israeli withdrawal and the potential for an international security force, has been stalled for months. A former UN diplomat has blamed Hamas's failure to disarm, while Hamas accuses Israel of ceasefire violations. The conflict began with Hamas's October 7th attack on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel's subsequent military offensive has resulted in over 73,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.