The militarisation of Gaza under the current policy of Prime Minister Netanyahu-by Dr Harold Gunatillake
Curated by Dr. Harold Gunatillake for Sri Lankans around the world, the current situation in Gaza
Image Source:Hnaftali
According to the latest information, the Israeli military is consolidating its presence in Gaza through infrastructure development and strategic zoning, which has been characterised as a “militarisation” of the enclave.
One notable development is the establishment of the Yellow Line, which serves as a de facto military boundary, effectively delineating this narrow strip.
The “Yellow Line” in the Gaza Strip is a temporary military demarcation line established following a US-brokered ceasefire
that took effect on October 10, 2025, intended to divide the Gaza Strip into two distinct zones. It marks the designated position for the withdrawal of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) during the first phase of a peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing war.
The boundary bisects the Gaza Strip, with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) administering the eastern section, approximately 53% of the territory. At the same time, the Palestinian population is confined to the western region, accounting for about 47% of the land.
The Israeli military is delineating this boundary with yellow-painted concrete blocks and earth berms. Reports suggest that these markers have been relocated further west by Israeli forces following the initial ceasefire, thereby expanding the territory under Israeli control and diminishing the area accessible to Palestinians.
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Nearly all Palestinians in Gaza have moved to the area west of this line, with many seeking safety and stability there. The region east of the line, home to
important agricultural land, remains mostly inaccessible to Palestinians, making this situation even more challenging for the community.
In the eastern region visible from the Israeli border,
Palestinian farmers sustain their
livelihoods by cultivating strawberries, oranges, grapefruits, olives, and other vegetables.
Following the 2007 blockade, their products are marketed exclusively within the occupied territory.
The region east of the delineated boundary is undergoing significant military fortification. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have reportedly established military outposts, paved new roads designated for military purposes—including the expanded
“Netzarim Corridor” that transects the strip from north to south— and constructed observation towers.
Although initially characterised as temporary security measures, the development of significant infrastructure suggests a strategic intent to sustain a military presence rather than a swift withdrawal.
Satellite imagery shows large earth berms—raised dirt mounds— concrete roadblocks, and reinforced military outposts lining the area, providing a clearer picture of the ongoing preparations.
The line approximately bisects the Gaza Strip, with Israel overseeing the eastern segment, thereby establishing a “new border” and a “sterilised belt” or buffer zone.
Reports indicate that Israeli forces have advanced these barriers several hundred meters further into Gaza, thereby extending their control beyond the initially agreed-upon ceasefire boundary.
Image Source:Aljazeera
Prime Minister Netanyahu has clearly expressed his plans for the post-war setup, often mentioning “indefinite security control.” His goal is to ensure the Israeli military has the freedom to operate anywhere in Gaza to keep threats at bay, much like their operations in the West Bank.
Netanyahu has consistently rejected the notion of the Palestinian Authority (PA) or Hamas assuming governance over Gaza.
Instead, he has articulated ambiguous proposals for “local administration’ managed by technocrats or clans; however, these initiatives have not been effectively realised.
As of February 2026, a fragile ceasefire (brokered in late 2025) is technically in place; however, tensions remain elevated. Reports indicate that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is developing plans for a renewed offensive aimed at forcibly disarming Hamas should the current stalemate persist.
As of February 2026, international responses to the militarisation of Gaza remain profoundly divided. Although a U.S.-led “Peace Plan” has established a formal framework for a ceasefire, numerous international organisations and legal scholars perceive the resultant infrastructure as a “new form of occupation.”
The United States: Security First
Under the Trump administration’s 2026 policy, the United States has prioritised demilitarisation over immediate withdrawal.
The Peace Plan: The United States has endorsed the establishment of the “Board of Peace” (BoP) and an International Stabilisation Force (ISF). While these initiatives are presented as transitional, critics contend they effectively delegate the occupation to a U.S.- led command.
The “Yellow Line”: The United States has endorsed this military demarcation as a “provisional security boundary.” The official position remains that the withdrawal of Israeli forces is
conditional—directly connected to the comprehensive disarmament of Hamas, which serves as a legal “loophole” allowing the military presence to persist indefinitely.
European Union thoughts
Their position embodies a delicate balancing act. The European Union has expressed approval of the “Phase 2” transition to a technocratic Palestinian administration; however, it asserts that this transition must ultimately result in the Palestinian Authority (PA) assuming full sovereignty. The EU has unequivocally condemned statements from Israeli ministers—such as Bezalel Smotrich—about the expansion of settlements or the permanent annexation of Gaza territory. They emphasise that Gaza should remain an integrated territory with the West Bank.
Countries such as Egypt and Jordan have expressed significant scepticism regarding the “Board of Peace,” articulating concerns that it could result in the indefinite displacement of Palestinians or evolve into a “frozen conflict” whereby Gaza remains an enduring military zone.
As of February 2026, the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) has transitioned from a diplomatic concept into a tangible presence in Gaza. Mandated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, adopted in November 2025, this force serves as the cornerstone of the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.”
Nevertheless, its implementation has engendered new concerns regarding whether it serves as an instrument of emancipation or as an additional layer of military oversight.
The long-term consequences of contemporary Israeli policy in Gaza suggest a significant transformation in the region’s geography, demographics, and political stature. For the Palestinians who have inhabited this land for centuries, the future is increasingly characterised by fragmentation and external oversight rather than sovereign self-determination.
The establishment of the Netzarim Corridor and the “Yellow Line” has effectively segmented the Gaza Strip. In the long term, this obstructs the operation of a cohesive Palestinian economy or government.
The Netzarim Corridor constitutes a strategically significant corridor, approximately 4 to 6 kilometres in width, established by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) during the Gaza conflict. This corridor dissected the Gaza Strip, thereby segregating the northern region—including Gaza City—from the central and southern territories. Extending from the Gaza-Israel border to the Mediterranean Sea, it serves as a conduit for regulating the movement of individuals and goods.
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