Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

'Israel’s' Gaza map redrawn: 70% under evacuation or military control

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Washington Post
  • 1 May 2025 17:38
  • 8 Shares
4 Min Read

The Israeli aggression on Gaza has displaced hundreds of thousands, expanding buffer zones and red zones, amid growing humanitarian concerns.

Listen
  • x
  • Palestinians struggle in a crowd as they try to receive donated food at a distribution center in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Wednesday, April 30, 2025 (AP)
    Palestinians struggle in a crowd as they try to receive donated food at a distribution center in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP)

In the six weeks since "Israel" resumed its Gaza offensive, approximately 70% of the enclave has been designated a military “red zone” or evacuation area, forcing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into increasingly overcrowded and unsafe areas, The Washington Post reported.

The Israeli military states that evacuation orders are intended to allow civilians to leave before combat operations begin, warning that those who remain may be treated as combatants; however, Palestinian residents and humanitarian organizations confirm that these orders often compel people to flee under direct fire.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), recent evacuation orders affecting major population centers and border regions have displaced more than 420,000 people.

These orders come amid a renewed and intensified phase of the aggression that "Israel" renewed on March 18, reneging on the ceasefire agreement.

Expansion of the 'security zone' and buffer zones

As part of its military campaign, "Israel" has significantly expanded what it refers to as the “security zone” along the borders of Gaza with both "Israel" and Egypt.

While the Israeli military claims that this buffer zone is essential to prevent future operations similar to the 2023's Al-Aqsa Flood, this expansion has resulted in extensive territorial shifts, effectively transforming large swathes of Gaza into inaccessible “no-go zones".

Israeli moves signal long-term occupation

The most notable development is in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza adjacent to Egypt.

Last month, Palestinians were ordered to evacuate the area as Israeli troops advanced, pushing deeper into the Gaza buffer zone.

The Philadelphi Corridor, which runs along the Gaza-Egypt border, forms part of this expanded zone, with new military deployments now extending northward to Khan Younis and through what "Israel" has labeled the Morag Corridor.

The Post said that recent developments indicate that "Israel" may be moving toward a long-term occupation, as officials have not signaled any intention to withdraw from these areas.

According to the rights group Gisha, the initial buffer zone, created under earlier ceasefire agreements, extended 700 to 1,000 meters into Gaza and covered about 17% of the territory, as Palestinians remain prohibited from returning to this land.

Humanitarian consequences, legal concerns

The expansion of buffer zones in Gaza has intensified the humanitarian crisis, with OCHA saying that many of the newly designated evacuation areas contain critical infrastructure, including nearly half of Gaza’s water wells, along with medical facilities and essential services.

Civilians in some red zones have been unable or unwilling to evacuate, leaving them vulnerable amid ongoing attacks.

Humanitarian agencies have warned that these displacements, coupled with the near-total siege "Israel" has imposed for nearly two months, have severely restricted access to aid and land for thousands of Palestinians. Aid groups report widespread shortages of food, clean water, and medical care.

Earlier in the conflict, Israeli forces also demolished buildings and agricultural fields to create the initial buffer zone.

Violations of international law

Israeli officials claimed this was necessary to destroy Hamas tunnels and reduce future threats, but legal experts have criticized these actions, saying they likely constitute violations of international law, particularly due to the scale of forced displacement and destruction of civilian property.

While "Israel's" leaders insist that the expansion of the buffer zones is crucial for "national security" and to pressure Hamas to release Israeli captives, the move has also raised fears that it signals a longer-term shift in the occupation and control of Gaza.

  • Gaza buffer zone
  • Israel
  • mass displacement of Palestinians
  • mass displacement
  • Gaza

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS