Six months after the deadline for Hamas to disarm passed, Israel is reshaping the campaign in the Gaza Strip. A senior Western diplomat confirmed that Israel has significantly expanded its hold on the Gaza Strip in recent weeks, and that the IDF now controls 64% of the territory. The new boundary line along which IDF forces have taken up positions, dubbed the “orange line,” replaces the more limited “yellow line” and adds 34 square kilometers (13 square miles) to Israel’s security zones, about 11% of the total area of the Gaza Strip.
AFSI Insight
Israel’s expanded control inside Gaza represents a major strategic shift toward creating long-term security zones rather than relying on temporary military operations. The move also sends a message that Hamas faces consequences for refusing to disarm under the internationally backed “Board of Peace” framework. With reported U.S. awareness and approval, Israel appears to be acting from a stronger diplomatic position while focusing on preventing future attacks like the October 7 massacre.