Maariv: Israel Laying the Groundwork for Prolonged Occupation and Resumption of Settlements in Gaza

The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that the Israeli occupation army has intensified the expansion of military barriers, known as “corridors,” particularly the Netzarim Corridor, which effectively divides the Gaza Strip into two sections and restricts movement between the southern and northern parts of the enclave.

According to the report, the Israeli army has significantly widened the Netzarim Corridor, expanding it to eight kilometers in width, ostensibly to counter what it referred to as “sniper fire threats.”

The report added that the corridor is being developed to allow for the smooth movement of military vehicles, even under harsh weather conditions, and to avoid incidents where vehicles may become immobilized due to potholes or erosion.

The Netzarim Corridor stretches eight kilometers from the east, near Kibbutz Be’eri, to Gaza City, running parallel to the Gaza River.

Plans for Resettlement and Military Entrenchment

Last month, the Hebrew daily Yedioth Ahronoth revealed that the Israeli army is working on implementing drastic changes in Gaza by creating three main corridors to divide the Strip, with speculation that settlement projects in certain areas may be revived.

Military correspondent Yoav Zitun reported that the army has dramatically expanded the Netzarim Corridor, which separates northern Gaza from its southern parts, and has established permanent military installations to maintain a sustained presence in the area.

Zitun suggested that the army’s approach—expanding the areas under its control and creating additional division points within Gaza—may pave the way for renewed Jewish settlement in the Strip.

The newspaper noted that the Netzarim Corridor has been transformed into a massive Israeli military hub, featuring detention centers and command posts. Moreover, the Israeli army has constructed new corridors and completed a route that separates northern Gaza from the rest of the Strip.

Division of Gaza into Three Parts

What was once a narrow strip designed to separate northern Gaza from its southern regions, the Netzarim Corridor has evolved over the past year into a vast expanse of land effectively dividing the Gaza Strip into three segments: northern Gaza, southern Gaza, and the central area, which the corridor itself occupies. The current corridor spans approximately seven kilometers from north to south.

This expansion has come at the expense of several areas, particularly in southern Gaza City. Neighborhoods such as Tel al-Hawa, Zeitoun, Sabra, and Sheikh Ajleen have been impacted. Similarly, vast areas of northern central Gaza have been absorbed, including parts of northern Nuseirat Camp, the Zahra neighborhood, and the Maghazi area, which has been almost entirely razed, along with northern al-Bureij Camp and Juhor al-Deek village.

Key Insights:

1. 1. Netzarim Corridor as a Strategic Tool: The corridor is central to Israel’s military objectives, creating physical and logistical barriers that fragment Gaza and facilitate tighter control over the population.

1. 1. Resumption of Settlements: Reports of settlement revival hint at a broader strategy to reassert Israeli presence and territorial dominance in Gaza, echoing pre-2005 settlement patterns.

1. 1. Impact on Palestinian Communities: The expansion has resulted in the erasure of Palestinian neighborhoods and agricultural areas, highlighting the human cost of these military developments.

1. 1. Permanent Occupation Indicators: The establishment of military installations and detention centers underscores a shift towards permanent occupation rather than temporary military operations.

This escalation reflects Israel’s long-term ambitions in Gaza, raising concerns about the humanitarian and political ramifications for the Palestinian population. Let me know if you’d like additional refinements or focus on specific aspects of the article.