Israel has significantly expanded its control over the central Gaza Strip, particularly around the Netzarim Corridor, suggesting that the IDF is preparing for a prolonged presence within the Palestinian enclave, according to a report by The New York Times.
Citing satellite images and video footage, the report indicates that the IDF has constructed or expanded approximately a dozen military bases in the area over the past three months. An IDF spokesman responded to the report, saying that “anything that has been built there can be taken down within a day.”
Initially, the Netzarim Corridor consisted of a narrow, four-mile strip of land centered around a road south of Gaza City. It serves as a key axis for Israeli military operations in northern and central Gaza and a checkpoint for Palestinian residents attempting to return northward after fleeing to southern areas. The corridor also facilitates the coordination of humanitarian aid deliveries to northern Gaza.
In recent months, the corridor’s footprint has expanded significantly, now spanning 18 square miles. It stretches to the Zeitoun neighborhood near Gaza City in the north and the Wadi Gaza stream in the south. The IDF appears to be establishing a buffer zone along the perimeter of the expanded area, demolishing an estimated 600 buildings in the process, according to the report.
Satellite imagery analyzed by The Times reveals that since early September, the IDF has been rapidly developing infrastructure in the region. In total, at least 19 large military bases and numerous smaller outposts have been established in and around the Netzarim Corridor since the onset of the conflict with Hamas in October.
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An IDF spokesman responded to the report, saying that “anything that has been built there can be taken down within a day.” However what Israel’s position about maintaining military control over Gaza should be is that they pulled out of Gaza and gave it to the Palestinians to govern, they wanted nothing more to do with it. Yet the UN insisted over and over that they are still the occupying power under the law and so they are obligated to ensure the welfare of the people there and responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all the critical infrastructure along with ensuring the people are supplied with food and water.
So the international community cannot have it both ways, if they are going to insist Israel is the occupying power then this means they are occupying it militarily, so its only natural for them to actually do so to ensure both their own security and the security of the local population so that Hamas doesn’t try to repeat this destruction of Gaza again.
They will be building a canal there