The Israeli military has announced that it has completed the construction of the Morag Corridor, a strategic route that isolates the city of Rafah from the rest of Gaza. This development comes as Israel intensifies its military operations in the southern region of the Gaza Strip.
Over the weekend, the Israeli army’s Arabic spokesperson issued new orders for residents in several neighborhoods of Khan Younis to evacuate their homes. The military warned of an imminent and powerful attack in response to rockets allegedly fired by Hamas from that area. Residents in Qizan an-Najjar, Qizan Abu Rashwan, al-Salam, al-Manara, al-Qurain, Maen, al-Batn al-Sameen, Jurt al-Lot, al-Fakhari, and parts of Bani Suheila were instructed to move to al-Mawasi, located along Gaza’s coast.
This evacuation order coincided with a series of drone strikes and artillery attacks in Khan Younis, which reportedly resulted in at least two fatalities. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated that the Morag Corridor has effectively turned Rafah into an “Israeli security zone.” He also mentioned plans to expand the Netzarim Corridor, which divides Gaza into two parts.
Katz offered what he called a "last chance" for the people of Gaza to remove Hamas from power and release Israeli hostages, warning that if they do not comply, military operations will extend across most of Gaza. He also mentioned that Palestinians wishing to leave Gaza would be allowed to do so.
Hamas responded by accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the conflict, despite calls from within Israel to end the war. They stated that a clear deal exists: the release of captives in exchange for a halt to hostilities, a proposal they claim is accepted globally but rejected by Netanyahu.
The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with around 2.1 million Palestinians now confined to about one-third of the territory. Since Israel reimposed a blockade last month, no trucks carrying essential supplies have entered Gaza. Katz has openly stated that Israel’s strategy since breaking a ceasefire on March 18 has been to apply pressure on the civilian population.
Experts suggest that the creation of the Morag Corridor is not just a military tactic but part of a broader Israeli strategy to maintain control over Gaza. This strategy aims to oversee the flow of goods and ensure security in the region, as Israel has historically sought to manage the dynamics of the Gaza Strip closely.
As the conflict continues, the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, raising urgent concerns about the impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.