Israel Builds 40 Permanent Military Posts in Gaza Following Ceasefire
Instead of conducting a full troop withdrawal as mandated by the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, the Israeli military is reportedly strengthening its permanent grip on the Gaza Strip. Recent investigations based on satellite data reveal large-scale military infrastructure construction spread across the besieged enclave.
An analysis by Al Jazeera’s Open Source Unit using satellite data up to May 2026 has identified at least 40 Israeli military posts embedded within Gaza. Crucially, the findings show that eight of these bases were built entirely from scratch after the October 2025 ceasefire took effect, with one location still under active construction.
This physical reinforcement aligns with the increasingly overt territorial ambitions of the Israeli leadership. In a recent conference, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed directives to control large parts of the Gaza Strip permanently. Currently, Israeli forces have retreated to an area known as the ‘Yellow Line’, which includes a buffer and military zone covering 60 per cent of Gaza’s total area. “We are currently pressing Hamas. We now control 60 per cent of the territory,” Netanyahu stated, even hinting at further expansion by saying, “Let us do it step by step. First, 70 (per cent). Let us start with that.”
Satellite analysis reveals a systematic effort to build long-term military infrastructure rather than mere temporary observation posts. These new installations are strategically distributed: two in northern Gaza, two in the central region, one east of the Netzarim Corridor, and three in the southern city of Khan Younis.
One of the most striking findings is the construction of a new military base directly atop the ruins of the Eastern Cemetery in Khan Younis. Satellite imagery shows engineering work on the levelled cemetery land began in November 2025. As of 18 May 2026, the site is equipped with vehicle deployment areas and structures believed to be used for troop housing and operational meetings.
A similar pattern is visible in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza. An area that appeared clear in October 2025 photos suddenly showed engineering activity in mid-November. By May 2026, military structures were fully enclosed with internal facilities standing complete.
In addition to building new bases, the Israeli military is aggressively expanding existing positions within the Yellow Line. East of Gaza City, a military post expanded its surface area by 70 per cent between October 2025 and May 2026, complete with deep defensive trenches and armoured vehicle deployment zones.
This infrastructure is most evident around the Netzarim Corridor, a route used by Israeli soldiers to physically sever access between northern and southern Gaza. Three separate military posts have been identified guarding this area, ensuring full Israeli control over the movement of the Palestinian population.
Data from the Gaza Ministry of Health indicates that violence has not ceased despite the announced ceasefire. Since the war began in October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 73,000 Palestinians and injured over 172,919 people. In the seven months since the official ceasefire took effect, at least 929 Palestinians have reportedly been killed and 2,811 others wounded.