Gaza City – The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a significant expansion of the Israeli military’s buffer zone, effectively displacing more Palestinian civilians and resulting in the demolition of numerous homes. Recent reports indicate that Israel now controls over 50% of the Gaza Strip, a development that has intensified the humanitarian crisis in the region. The expanded buffer zone is a consequence of intensified military operations, purportedly aimed at creating a security perimeter and pressuring Hamas. However, the expansion has come at a devastating cost for Palestinian residents.
According to Israeli soldiers and rights groups, the military has systematically razed Palestinian homes, farmlands, and critical infrastructure, rendering vast areas uninhabitable. This destruction is not merely collateral damage; it is a deliberate strategy to create a security zone, further exacerbating the already dire living conditions in Gaza. As of April 7, 2025, the buffer zone has doubled in size in recent weeks, leading to mass displacement and increased suffering among the civilian population.
The United Nations reports that approximately two-thirds of Gaza is now under Israeli displacement orders or designated as no-go zones. The situation is compounded by severe restrictions on aid supplies, which have been blocked for over a month. This obstruction of humanitarian assistance is particularly alarming given the high number of casualties and the widespread destruction of infrastructure. Overnight and into Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip resulted in at least 25 fatalities, including eight children and five women, as reported by Palestinian medics.
The intensified military actions have also taken a heavy toll on specific areas within Gaza. Khan Younis, for example, has been significantly affected, with nine deaths confirmed after Israeli forces targeted a residential building and a shelter for displaced people on April 6, 2025. Gaza’s civil defense agency reported at least 44 deaths due to Israeli strikes on Sunday, April 7, 2025. Hamas, in a statement released on Palestinian Children’s Day, stated that approximately 19,000 children have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.
These developments are occurring against a backdrop of stalled truce talks and escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas. As Israel expands its control within Gaza, the impact on Palestinian residents is profound. The destruction of property and displacement of civilians raises serious concerns about potential violations of international law. International organizations and human rights groups are closely monitoring the situation, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the provision of unrestricted humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of the Gazan population.