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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that Israeli troops will not be leaving the buffer zones in Gaza even after the war ends. This decision comes after Hamas rejected an Israeli-proposed ceasefire deal that would see the return of nearly a dozen hostages who have been held captive for over 550 days. Israel resumed combat operations in the strip last month after a previous ceasefire agreement fell apart. The IDF will remain in the security zones as a buffer between the enemy and Israeli communities under any temporary or permanent arrangement in Gaza.
The buffer zones established by Israel along the Gaza border make up 30% of the strip, with Israeli troops working to create the Morag Corridor, which would cut off the southern city of Rafah from Khan Younis. Hamas has stated that any deal that does not have real guarantees for halting the war, achieving full withdrawal, lifting the blockade, and beginning reconstruction will be considered a political trap. Katz reiterated that the IDF will remain in these security zones similar to its presence in Lebanon and Syria. The Israeli troops are working to ensure the safety of Israeli communities in the region, even after the war ends.
Since the resumption of operations in March, Israel has faced condemnation from leaders of international institutions who have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over the situation and the lack of humanitarian aid entering the strip. Katz confirmed that humanitarian aid was being blocked to pressure Hamas, which has been accused of stealing aid. Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Guterres for not mentioning the hostages or Hamas in his statements, emphasizing that the war Hamas started will not end until all 59 remaining hostages are returned from captivity.
Katz’s statement about Israeli troops remaining in the buffer zones in Gaza even after the war ends indicates a long-term strategy to maintain security and protect Israeli communities. The rejection of the ceasefire deal by Hamas shows the complex nature of negotiations between the two sides, with Hamas demanding guarantees for halting the war, withdrawal, lifting the blockade, and reconstruction. The presence of Israeli troops in the security zones reflects a continuation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with Israel seeking to ensure the safety of its citizens and prevent further hostilities in the region.
The establishment of buffer zones and the creation of the Morag Corridor by Israeli troops show a strategic effort to secure areas along the Gaza border and prevent threats to Israeli communities. The condemnation of Israel by international leaders for the lack of humanitarian aid entering Gaza highlights the humanitarian implications of the conflict, with concerns about the welfare of civilians in the strip. The pressure on Hamas through the blockade of aid reflects Israeli efforts to weaken the militant group’s influence and hold it accountable for its actions.
Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon’s criticism of the U.N. Secretary-General for not addressing the hostages and Hamas in his statements underscores the importance of acknowledging the human cost of the conflict and the responsibility of Hamas for initiating hostilities. The focus on the return of the remaining hostages highlights the personal impact of the conflict on individuals and families affected by captivity. Overall, the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, with Israel’s determination to maintain security in Gaza and Hamas’s demands for guarantees in negotiations, indicate a complex and challenging path towards achieving lasting peace in the region.
