Katz says Rafah to become 'security buffer': Israeli media
3 Min Read
Plans to divide Gaza progress as Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz announces that Rafah will be evacuated and turned into a "security buffer."
-
People walk amid the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on February 24, 2025. (AP)
"Israel's" Ynet news website reported on Thursday that three weeks after the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) resumed aggression against Gaza, forces have been deployed to a newly established "security corridor", known as the Morag Corridor, across southern Gaza. ​
The Morag Corridor, named after a former Israeli settlement between Rafah and Khan Younis, is designed to sever Rafah from the rest of Gaza.
According to the Ynet report, the 36th Division is spearheading an offensive in the corridor, with senior military officials revealing plans to extend it to about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) in length and 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) in width.
Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz declared that the IOF would take complete control of the area between the Morag Corridor and the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian border, essentially transforming Rafah into a "buffer zone". In other words, Katz intends to displace Palestinians from Rafah and occupy the area.
"All of Rafah will be evacuated and turned into a security area. This is what we are doing now," Katz announced. ​
The report reveals that Israeli officials have largely refrained from discussing post-war plans, even as Hamas retains significant capabilities after more than a year of fighting.
Israeli officials continue to use Hamas' capabilities as a pretext to continue bombarding every corner of the Strip, targeting residential areas and civilians, especially children.
Netanyahu says IOF taking control of Morag Axis
Earlier this month, "Israel" announced a significant expansion of military operations in Gaza on April 1st, declaring plans to seize extensive areas of the Palestinian enclave and incorporate them into its "security zones", alongside mass expulsion of the Palestinian population.
Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces were taking control of what he called the Morag Axis, likening it to the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, stating, "We are now slicing through the Strip, and we are increasing the pressure step by step, so that they will give us our hostages."
The move, which isolates Rafah from Khan Younis, grants "Israel" control over a second corridor in southern Gaza, in addition to the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian border.
Netanyahu has prioritized maintaining Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor in ceasefire negotiations, claiming that an Israeli withdrawal would enable weapons smuggling into Gaza.
On a related note, Katz has also proposed the "evacuation" of Palestinians in Gaza, a plan that faced significant international backlash. In February, he announced plans to establish a directorate for the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of Gaza under the name of "Voluntary emigration from Gaza", in coordination with other government departments.
Katz decided to establish this directorate within the ministry during a recent meeting. The directorate would involve representatives from various other ministries and security agencies, according to a ministry statement.
