Israel is building a new military separation line across Gaza, satellite images suggest

Israel is creating a new military separation line in Gaza, separating far north of the line, satellite images read by BBC Verify appear to show.

The army controls, and clears, the area across the northern strip of Gaza. Satellite images and videos show that hundreds of buildings have been destroyed between the Mediterranean Sea and the Israeli border, mostly due to controlled explosions.

The photos also show Israeli soldiers and vehicles stationed throughout the new group. Analysts say the images suggest that Gaza has been divided into sections to make it easier to control.

An IDF spokesman told the BBC it was “targeting terrorists and infrastructure” in northern Gaza.

Dr HA Hellyer, a Middle East security expert from a Russian think tank, said satellite images suggested that Israel was preparing to prevent Palestinian citizens from returning to the northern Gaza Strip. More than 100,000 people have been displaced from the far north of Gaza, according to the UN.

The images appear to show two long sections of road at either end of the cleared line connected by a cleared area in the city area. Buildings are being demolished between the two sections of the road, with a clear pattern visible since the beginning of October.

The complex stretches about 5.6 miles (9km) across Gaza, from east to west, separating Gaza City and the villages of Jabalia, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.

The BBC has been told that there is a strategic route between Jabalia and Gaza City, which is part of operations targeting Hamas in Jabalia.

Videos shot by the IDF and posted online show dozens of multi-story buildings being destroyed by controlled explosions since early October.

The image below shows a few examples that BBC Verify has placed on the new tunnel.

An IDF spokesman told the BBC that it had no intention of destroying civilian infrastructure “without operational necessity” to neutralize Hamas.

Other images show IDF Humvee vehicles being driven from an evacuated area into Israel. Humvees are not as heavily armed as other military vehicles – and Dr Hellyer told the BBC that such vehicles are unlikely to be used unless the army is confident of their safety, indicating that the Israeli army is in charge of the area.

Some analysts believe that the presence of the IDF could signal a permanent separation of forces – giving it the power to control who can travel between Gaza and Northern Gaza.

Dr Hellyer said of the IDF: “Hold on for a long time. I would absolutely expect the northern part to develop like the Netzarim Corridor.”

The BBC has documented how two parts have been created in Gaza since the start of the current war. I Netzarim Corridor – completed in May – divides the area south of Gaza City, while the Philadelphia Corridor gives the IDF control of the land that runs the length of the Gaza border with Egypt.

The BBC’s analysis of this new division in the north shows the same pattern as the construction of previous corridors in the past year, with existing and newly built roads connecting and military positions appearing from time to time. Buildings and farmland are being cleared to pave roads and build military infrastructure.

Dr Eado Hecht from the Begin–Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (Besa), an Israeli think tank focused on national security and foreign policy, agreed that the data showed a new dividing line, but questioned whether it was designed to be permanent.

“There is a new tunnel that separates Gaza City from the towns in the north of the Gaza Strip. The aim is to cut off the forces of Hamas – and other organizations that have returned to that area from support and the ability to retreat, so that they can be dealt with effectively.”

Israel has denied that it is using the “General’s Plan”. Under the plan, devised by former general Giora EIland, citizens will be told to leave the north, goods will be blocked and the area will be a military zone. Those who remained would be treated as combatants and face the choosing “surrender or starve”with the aim of putting pressure on Hamas to release its hostages.

In a statement sent to the BBC, an IDF spokesman said: “The IDF operates according to well-established military systems, and the claim that the IDF uses this particular system is incorrect.”

But concerns have risen for the safety of the thousands of Palestinian civilians who remain in the besieged towns of northern Gaza.

The UN and humanitarian organizations have expressed serious concern about the situation in northern Gaza. While thousands of people have been displaced, the UN says until 60,000 people can stay in the area.

The UN also says “almost no aid” has entered Northern Gaza in 50 days. A spokesman said Palestinians were facing “severe shortages of goods and services, as well as overcrowding and unsanitary conditions” due to the blockade.

Earlier this month, a UN-backed survey said that was more likely famine was imminent in the besieged areas north of Gaza.

A BBC analysis shows that nearly 90 percent of Northern Gaza has been under evacuation orders since early October. Videos posted on social media of people being taken south of the new section. It is not clear if and when they will be able to return, but Israel’s foreign minister has insisted that the citizens will be allowed to return after the war.

Satellite images show the displacement of people in northern Gaza. Large groups of tents, set up as temporary accommodation, are disappearing. In the remaining area, buildings and other examples of military activities are often destroyed.

Although the IDF appears to have established sufficient control over the area to move vehicles armed with small arms, heavy fighting has continued in the area between IDF forces and Hamas fighters.

Videos posted by Hamas fighters show clashes with IDF tanks in the area around the separation line.

Experts disagree on how long the new component might be intended to last. Dr Hellyer suggested that it could be the basis of a plan to expel Palestinians from the area permanently.

“I personally think they will settle Jewish settlers in the north, maybe in the next 18 months,” he said. “They will not call themselves settlements. First they will call themselves outposts or whatever, but that will be and they will grow there.”

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the army should take over Gaza and “encourage” almost half of the Palestinian population to leave the area within two years.

But the Israeli government denies it plans to build settlements in Gaza once the war is over, and Dr Hecht has dismissed the proposals as a “dream” by some nationalist ministers.

“All three corridors (Philadelphia in the south, Netzarim in the south of Gaza City and the new one in the north of Gaza City) are for control purposes,” said Dr. Hecht.

“The duration of their existence depends on when the war ends and in what way it ends.”