Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared that Israeli troops will remain stationed in the buffer zones they have established inside Gaza, even in the event of a ceasefire or a broader settlement to end the war. His comments come as international efforts to broker a renewed truce appear to be stalling.
Since resuming its offensive last month, Israel has significantly expanded a self-declared “security zone” deep into Gaza, forcing more than two million Palestinians into increasingly restricted areas, mostly in the south and along the coast.
“Unlike in the past, the IDF is not evacuating areas that have been cleared and seized,” Katz stated after meeting military commanders. He added that “tens of percent” of Gaza’s territory had been absorbed into the buffer zone.
“The IDF will remain in the security zones as a buffer between the enemy and the communities in any temporary or permanent situation in Gaza – as in Lebanon and Syria.”
In the south alone, Israeli forces now control approximately 20% of Gaza, including the border city of Rafah and the strategic “Morag corridor,” which stretches from the eastern edge of the territory to the Mediterranean Sea, separating Rafah from Khan Younis.
Israel also holds a wide corridor across the central Netzarim area and has expanded its control to include a large buffer along the border, reaching several hundred metres inland. This includes the Shejaia district east of Gaza City in the north.
According to Israel, hundreds of Hamas fighters have been killed during the ongoing operation, including several senior commanders. However, the scale and intensity of the offensive have raised concerns among humanitarian agencies and international bodies such as the United Nations and the European Union.
The UN humanitarian agency OCHA reports that over 400,000 Palestinians have been displaced since fighting resumed on 18 March, following a two-month lull. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes and shelling have reportedly killed at least 1,630 people during this renewed offensive.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) described Gaza as a “mass grave,” with humanitarian groups struggling to reach affected civilians. “We are witnessing in real time the destruction and forced displacement of the entire population in Gaza,” said Amande Bazerolle, MSF’s emergency coordinator in the territory.
Although Israel has restricted aid deliveries into Gaza, Katz indicated that infrastructure is being developed to eventually allow distribution through civilian firms. He confirmed, however, that the current blockade on humanitarian aid will remain in effect for the time being.
Katz’s statements also reinforced Israel’s long-standing demand that Hamas must disarm, a condition that remains a major obstacle in ceasefire negotiations. Talks, mediated by Egypt, have so far made little headway.
Hamas has firmly rejected calls to lay down arms, describing it as a non-negotiable “red line.” The group maintains that any permanent ceasefire must include a full Israeli withdrawal, an end to the blockade, and the commencement of reconstruction efforts.
“Any truce lacking real guarantees for halting the war, achieving full withdrawal, lifting the blockade, and beginning reconstruction will be a political trap,” Hamas said in a statement on Wednesday.