Overview

• Israeli forces have solidified control over the Morag axis and other areas, creating extensive buffer zones that now encompass significant portions of Gaza.
• Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will maintain a permanent presence in these zones, even in the event of a ceasefire.
• The buffer zone expansion has displaced over 400,000 Palestinians, with nearly 70% of Gaza now designated as 'no-go' or displacement zones, according to the UN.
• Humanitarian conditions in Gaza have worsened, with aid blockades, severe infrastructure destruction, and dwindling medical supplies leaving civilians in dire need.
• Israel's maximum pressure strategy aims to force Hamas to release hostages and disarm, but ceasefire negotiations remain stalled as Hamas rejects these terms.