More than Half of Gaza under Netanyahu’s Control… Morag Encircles Rafah to ‘Strangle’ Hamas

---

66% of the Gaza Strip is now off-limits to Palestinians after the Israeli army seized control of 30% of the territory by establishing the “Morag” axis.

• Diplomacy Chasing a Rush toward Catastrophe in Gaza

• Gaza News: The Blockade Enters Its Second Month and New Areas Added to Evacuation List

• Gaza News Now: Ongoing Israeli Incursion and Bombardments Accompanied by Calls for a Global Strike

On Saturday, the Israeli army announced it had completed the encirclement of Rafah city in the south of the Gaza Strip by creating the “Morag” axis separating it from Khan Younis.

Forces of the 36th Division have completed the encirclement of Rafah.

It added, “In the last 24 hours, the forces opened the Morag axis that divides the southern Gaza Strip between Rafah and Khan Younis governorates,” noting the deployment of the 36th Division and the al-Joulani Brigade in the area.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced Saturday that the army had secured full control of the main Morag axis located between Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

• Gaza Invasion Expands: Israeli Operation in Shuja’iyya

• New Complication in Gaza Negotiations: Hamas Rejects Israel’s Latest Offer

‘Morag’ Axis

In a statement, Gallant said the army “had secured control of the Morag axis (…) meaning the entire area between the Philadelphi Axis (along the Egypt-Gaza border) and Morag is now part of the Israeli security zone.”

The Morag axis runs deep through Gaza territory, facing the “Philadelphi” Axis on the Egypt-Gaza border, which the Israelis also call “Philadelphi 2.”

In recent weeks, the Israeli army issued warnings to Palestinian residents between the Philadelphi and Morag axes, urging them to evacuate to the coastal area of al-Mawasi.

According to Israeli sources, any potential displacement plan from Gaza would start by gathering Palestinians in this area.

• Israel Expands the War in Gaza and Plans for Population Displacement

• Gaza Truce: Three Disputes Prevent a Ceasefire Agreement

Pressure on Hamas

Nonetheless, Israeli sources say these operations are part of efforts to pressure Hamas, though it remains unclear whether any imminent agreement would lead to halting the plans.

‘Morag’ Axis

Israeli news outlet “Walla” reported Saturday that the army effectively controls 30% of the Gaza Strip’s land area.

Security officials believe moving Palestinians to designated safe zones will create internal unrest and resentment toward Hamas, hoping this will pressure leadership into concessions on hostage negotiations in exchange for a ceasefire.

It added: “According to a security source, if Hamas fails to make tangible progress in negotiations soon, the Israeli army plans to control over 50% of Gaza’s area, including another city beyond Rafah, while evacuating more Palestinians to newly established humanitarian shelters.”

• Hamas Hezbollah and Houthis: Netanyahu Unveils His Vision to End the Gaza War

• Hamas Attempts to Suppress the Anti-Government Protests in Gaza

Expanding the Buffer Zone

Israeli Army Radio reported that “in recent days, forces from the 36th Division, specifically the al-Joulani Brigade from the east and the 188th Armored Brigade from the west, advanced toward the Morag axis. At this point, the forces have met and completed full control of the axis, thereby fully encircling Rafah.”

It added: “Rafah is now completely surrounded by Israeli forces from all directions.”

‘Morag’ Axis

It continued: “In the coming weeks, the 36th Division will continue operations to expand the corridor and take Rafah, preparing to annex it to the Israeli-controlled buffer zone.”

These movements coincide with escalating warnings to residents across various parts of Gaza, especially in the north, to evacuate their homes.

Recent warnings have focused on areas near the borders, as part of Israeli efforts to expand the restricted-access buffer zone.

Residents were instructed to move to coastal areas, particularly al-Mawasi in southern Gaza.

• From Beirut to Gaza… A New Mission for Israel’s 36th Division

• Plans for a Ground Incursion in Southern Gaza: A Climate Conducive to an Aggressive Approach

Off-limits to Palestinians

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that “two-thirds of Gaza’s land area now falls within no-go zones.”

OCHA said the Israeli army issued 15 evacuation orders between March 18 and April 6, affecting about 130.8 square kilometers—around 36% of Gaza’s area.

‘Morag’ Axis

The report noted that “Israeli authorities requested the UN coordinate movements into the restricted area surrounding Gaza, as well as in Wadi Gaza, where Israeli forces redeployed starting March 20.”

It added that “these areas collectively account for about 66% of the Gaza Strip. The Site Management Group estimates that over 390,000 people were displaced between March 18 and April 6, including families who took shelter in approximately 320 displacement sites.”

• Latest News from Gaza: Israel Expands Operations in the North Mass Exodus towards the South

• Fatah Calls on Hamas to Leave the Government Scene: Have Mercy on Gaza and Its Children

It noted that “most attempts to coordinate humanitarian aid into these areas have failed, especially where access is prohibited or subject to evacuation orders.”

The report concluded: “Due to movement restrictions, it is difficult to accurately estimate the number of people remaining in these zones despite evacuation orders.”

It pointed out that “humanitarian actors on the ground reported that these areas are not completely empty, as some families returned after leaving when operations eased.”

According to the same report, “initial information from field visits conducted by relief organizations in central, eastern, and southwestern Gaza City indicate that access to basic services is increasingly difficult due to insecurity and supply shortages.”

It added that “restrictions on humanitarian aid movement hinder vital missions, such as delivering chemicals to desalination plants and retrieving goods from crossings.”

• “Netzarim” and “Salah al-Din” at the Heart of the Gaza Battle Again… Military Advance and Warning

• Bloody Dawn Strikes: Israel Escalates Attacks on Gaza

• Gaza War: Hamas Says It Has Not “Closed” the Door to Negotiations