“Israel Expands Security Corridor in Gaza, Cuts Off Rafah and Intensifies Military Operations”
Israel has officially announced the completion of a new security corridor in southern Gaza, effectively cutting off the city of Rafah from the rest of the Palestinian territory. This corridor, named “Morag” after a former Israeli settlement between Rafah and Khan Younis, is now a focal point in the latest military operations. According to the Israeli government, this move is part of a strategy to increase pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. With this corridor and the adjacent buffer zone—expanded through systematic demolition of surrounding areas—Israel now controls over 50% of Gaza’s land, significantly altering the region’s geography and dynamics of control.
The city of Rafah, previously a vital hub for humanitarian aid and the entry of supplies, is now essentially isolated. The municipality of Rafah has condemned the construction of the corridor, calling it a “flagrant breach of international legitimacy.” This development comes amidst growing international concerns over Israel’s military strategy and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The blockade of food, fuel, and medical aid continues to worsen, with more than 2 million people reportedly facing dire conditions, according to aid agencies operating in the region.
As of Saturday, Israeli airstrikes intensified across various areas of Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 people within a 24-hour period, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry. The ministry has claimed that the death toll since the conflict began in October has surpassed 50,000, with the majority being women and children. However, it does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths. On the other hand, Israel asserts that it has eliminated 20,000 Hamas fighters, though no concrete evidence has been provided to substantiate that figure.
The Israeli military has also ordered new waves of evacuations, first in eastern Khan Younis and later in central Gaza, following rocket fire from those areas. In a tense development, Hamas has warned that continued airstrikes put the lives of hostages at further risk. A recently released video showed American hostage Edan Alexander speaking under duress, reigniting calls from families for a negotiated deal to bring the hostages home.
Furthermore, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, revealed a controversial new proposal, reportedly backed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting that Palestinians could “voluntarily” relocate abroad. Palestinian officials and human rights organizations have fiercely opposed the idea, calling it a veiled attempt at forced displacement. Groups such as Human Rights Watch have gone as far as labeling the plan as ethnic cleansing, underscoring the growing international criticism of Israeli policies in Gaza.
With tensions escalating and the humanitarian crisis deepening, the future of Gaza remains uncertain. For more in-depth video news coverage, visit our YouTube channel THE OLIGO.
