CAIRO (AP) — The Israeli military is rapidly constructing a massive earthen barrier that segments the over 50% of the Gaza Strip it currently manages from the remaining territory, as indicated by recent satellite imagery. This development further entrenches the division within the densely populated Palestinian enclave.
In recent months, more than 23 kilometers (14 miles) of this barrier have been completed, traversing Palestinian communities that have been demolished by the military. This length constitutes more than half of the Gaza Strip's total coastal length of approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles), which is home to over 2 million Palestinians.
When presented with satellite images, Israel's military confirmed to The Associated Press the construction of a physical barrier near the so-called yellow line, which marked the boundary to which Israeli troops had withdrawn according to an October ceasefire agreement with Hamas. This line was initially seen as a temporary division of the territory pending a complete Israeli withdrawal.
However, as the truce remains stagnant, Israel appears to be solidifying its presence, raising concerns among Palestinians that this yellow line might evolve into a more permanent border. U.S. Central Command, responsible for monitoring the ceasefire, and the Board of Peace, led by U.S. President Donald Trump, did not provide comments regarding the barrier.
In conjunction with the barrier, the Israeli military reported the establishment of a “security zone” around the yellow line, equipped with various intelligence and technological resources. The military refrained from detailing the future extension of the barrier, stating that its purpose is to prevent infiltrations and to protect Israeli troops and communities close to Gaza.
The speed of the barrier's construction has raised alarms among Palestinians within Gaza, who fear that Israel will not relinquish control over the areas it currently occupies. Many are not fully aware of the berms being constructed around them, primarily due to the dangers associated with approaching the area. Recent satellite images indicate that the berm network in southern Gaza was extended by more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) within a two-week span this month.
This extension saw a section grow from about 500 meters (0.3 miles) on July 1 to approximately 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) by July 15. This stretch now divides the Israeli-controlled ruins of Rafah from Muwasi, a location housing some of the largest Palestinian tent camps. Should construction continue in its current direction, it will connect with the longest segment of the barrier, which runs almost uninterrupted for around 17 kilometers (10 miles) from the southern city of Khan Younis to near Gaza City to the north.
This particular stretch commenced construction in February, with evidence suggesting ongoing work to extend it further south. Over a kilometer (0.6 miles) was added between June 21 and July 7, close to an Israeli military base established on the remnants of the town of Bani Suheila, adjacent to Khan Younis. In the northern part of Gaza, several unconnected sections of berms are located just outside the largely destroyed town of Beit Lahia.
The precise height of the berms remains ambiguous, with indications that some barriers may extend beyond the yellow line. Israel has predominantly devastated and depopulated the half of Gaza under its control, forcing the population into the coastal area west of the yellow line, where many reside in dire tent camps and are reliant on aid.
On the opposite side, satellite imagery reveals that Israeli forces have demolished most buildings, utilizing bulldozers and explosives, effectively wiping out entire towns, including Rafah, which was once inhabited by over a quarter million people. They have created new roads and established bases on the remnants of Palestinian towns, destroying agricultural land in the process. The Israeli military asserts these actions are aimed at dismantling infrastructure used by Hamas.
The yellow line itself never had an exact definition, either in the ceasefire agreement or by Israeli or U.S. officials, and it has been inconsistently marked on the ground. The military stated it is working to clearly delineate the yellow line’s path to mitigate conflicts and prevent harm to non-combatants.
Israeli forces have reported fatalities among Palestinians who approached or crossed the yellow line. The military claims it opens fire on individuals suspected of posing threats to its troops. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the deaths of children and other civilians who were likely unaware of the boundary's significance. Some soldiers have revealed they are often uncertain about their targets and have been instructed to eliminate anyone crossing the boundary.
As per reports, Israeli strikes have resulted in over 1,100 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire began, largely from airstrikes and drone attacks across Gaza. In this period, militant actions have led to the deaths of five Israeli soldiers. For instance, an Israeli strike early on Tuesday in Gaza City claimed the lives of Firas al-Masri, his wife, and their four children, aged between 6 and 13, according to officials at Shifa Hospital. Witnesses reported hearing the children's desperate cries at the moment of the blast.
According to the ceasefire agreement, Israel is expected to withdraw its forces to the very edges of Gaza, with plans for an international security force to take their place. However, the execution of this agreement has faced delays for months. A former U.N. diplomat, now overseeing ceasefire coordination, has attributed the stagnation to Hamas' failure to disarm. Efforts to finalize a disarmament strategy have made little headway, while Hamas accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire terms.
The conflict escalated after Hamas-led militants launched an attack on Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities, mostly among civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. Israel retaliated with an extensive military campaign that has reportedly claimed over 73,000 lives in Gaza, according to estimates from the Gaza Health Ministry. This ministry, previously part of the now-dissolved Hamas-run government, keeps detailed records recognized as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and international organizations, though it does not differentiate between combatants and non-combatants, indicating that women and children constitute around half of the casualties.
