Israel Reshapes Gaza’s Landscape Amid Expanding Military Control

Israel is reportedly moving forward with a strategy aimed at dissolving the geographic and political identity of the Gaza Strip, gradually absorbing the territory through a combination of military operations, forced displacement, and humanitarian pressure.

What began as a military campaign following the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, has evolved into a broader effort to erase Gaza’s distinct status. At the center of this shift is “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” a large-scale offensive that seeks to establish Israeli military control over roughly 75% of Gaza’s territory, according to security sources.

The campaign has focused on dislodging Hamas fighters from their strongholds and isolating them from the broader population. This has been facilitated by the expansion of surveillance networks, checkpoints, and security zones, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israeli forces have issued evacuation orders to residents in dozens of neighborhoods, urging them to relocate south in advance of new operations.

These developments coincide with reports of a long-term plan to divide Gaza into three separate administrative zones, each encircled by Israeli-controlled military areas. Movement between these zones would be tightly restricted, requiring special permits, while goods entering the strip would be subject to heightened inspection procedures.

Critics argue that the strategy amounts to a de facto annexation of Gaza, turning it into a highly controlled and fragmented territory with limited autonomy. The creation of isolated zones and restricted corridors has drawn comparisons to a “giant open-air prison,” where Palestinians face increasing barriers to movement and access to basic services.

The implications of these measures extend beyond military tactics. By reshaping Gaza’s geography and restricting civilian life, the approach threatens to erase Palestinian identity tied to the land, undermining any future prospects for a two-state solution and raising serious concerns under international law.

As the situation continues to unfold, the future of Gaza — and of its more than two million residents — remains at the heart of a volatile and deeply entrenched conflict.