Israel Continues to Expand Gaza Annexation

The Israeli military is continuing to expand its control in the Gaza Strip by hundreds of metres beyond what is referred to as the ‘Yellow Line’, increasing the territory under its control to around 65 percent of the total area of the Gaza Strip. This was revealed in an investigation published on Wednesday by the Israeli daily Haaretz, based on recent satellite imagery. According to the investigation, this expansion largely consists of earth ramparts and trench systems stretching several kilometres into the Gaza Strip. Satellite imagery shows that the expansion currently reaches hundreds of metres beyond the ‘Yellow Line’ at two locations in the southern Gaza region. In Khan Younis, part of the expansion reaches a distance of approximately 400 metres beyond the ‘Yellow Line’ along Salah al-Din Road, whilst in Rafah, the expansion exceeds the ‘Yellow Line’ by up to around 1,300 metres at one point. Haaretz noted that the Israeli military has gradually shifted the yellow markers denoting the line westward, effectively expanding the territory under its control. The report also stated that the establishment of what is called the ‘Orange Line’, along with coordination requirements imposed on humanitarian organisations, has extended Israeli control to cover approximately 65 percent of the Gaza Strip. The newspaper added that the Israeli military has established at least three new bases in the Gaza Strip in recent months, including one base in the central refugee camp area, another in the ruins of Bani Suheila, and one more near the coastline and the Egyptian border. Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Office warned that Israeli attacks continue to kill and injure Palestinian civilians throughout the Gaza Strip despite the ceasefire. This raises concerns about the possible occurrence of war crimes and other heinous crimes. Speaking in Geneva on Tuesday, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said that ‘nine months after the announcement of the ceasefire, there is still no safe place for Palestinians in Gaza.’ According to the office, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces’ attacks since the ceasefire came into effect in October 2025.