Israel expands Gaza military control zone with new maps
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Apr 29
Israel expands Gaza military control zone with new maps
6 articles · Updated · Reuters · Apr 29
Maps sent to aid groups in mid-March show about 64% of Gaza under effective Israeli control, with an added restricted area beyond the October ceasefire's Yellow Line.
COGAT said the orange-line zone is for coordinating humanitarian movements, not restricting civilians, but displaced Palestinians and aid groups say shifting boundaries have cut access and increased fears of being shot.
Since the ceasefire, medics say Israeli fire has killed more than 800 Palestinians in Gaza; aid workers from UNICEF and WHO were among those killed near the lines.
As invisible 'Orange Lines' are drawn across Gaza, how can civilians or aid workers possibly know where is safe?
Are Israel's expanding 'buffer zones' a temporary security fix or a permanent redrawing of the map?
With Israel now controlling 59% of Gaza, is President Trump's internationally-backed peace plan officially dead?
Gaza’s Shrinking Enclave: Impact of Israel’s 64% Territorial Control and Buffer Zone Expansion
Overview
In March 2026, Israel expanded its military control in Gaza by introducing the unmarked 'orange line,' increasing territory under control to 64%. This created dangerous buffer zones with shifting boundaries, causing confusion and severe restrictions on civilian movement. Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians were forced into overcrowded shelters, facing critical shortages of food, water, and medical aid due to strict blockades and disrupted humanitarian operations. Aid efforts were hindered by required coordination with Israeli forces and frequent access denials, leading to tragic losses among aid workers. International law violations were widely condemned, but diplomatic shielding prevented accountability, while similar tactics were applied in southern Lebanon, signaling a broader strategy of long-term territorial control and fragmentation.