By Mohammed Abunahel

Israel's Plan to Divide and Occupy the Gaza Strip: What Are Its Objectives Behind Dividing the Strip?

The occupation state of Israel is advancing a comprehensive plan to divide and isolate Gaza into separate geographic zones, a move described as a strategic shift aimed at reshaping Gaza militarily and demographically. 

This plan, implemented alongside military operations and a crippling siege, seeks to impose a new reality that strengthens Israel’s control over Gaza while reconfiguring its geographical and administrative structures.

Israel is implementing what is known as the "Generals' Plan," which entails occupying the northern part of the Gaza Strip and transforming it into a buffer zone after displacing its residents, under the pressure of ongoing intense bombardment and a strict siege that prevents the entry of food, water, and medicine.

Israel’s strategy focuses on constructing three main axes within Gaza, which effectively fragment the Strip into disconnected regions for more control. 

Netzarim Axis

This axis is located south of Gaza City, extending 8 kilometres in length and covering an area of 56 square kilometres. It serves as a physical barrier between northern Gaza and its central and southern regions. Permanent military installations along this axis ensure a sustained Israeli presence.

The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that "the army has significantly expanded the Netzarim axis, which separates the northern part of the Gaza Strip from its central and southern regions, and has established permanent military installations to maintain a lasting military presence in the area."

The Israeli army has effectively created the Netzarim corridor to prevent the return of Palestinians. Four large military points have been established within the corridor, housing hundreds of soldiers permanently.

Additionally, the occupation forces have constructed a military road named "Route 749," comprising three lanes designed for transporting equipment and vehicles, setting up soldier accommodations, interrogating Palestinian detainees, and storing weapons. 

This route serves as an advanced operational axis, enabling deeper incursions into the Gaza Strip, and is also used as leverage in prisoner exchange negotiations and ceasefire agreements.

Yedioth Ahronoth further reported that  "Israel has transformed Netzarim Corridor outpost into a fully operational base with temporary detention facilities, interrogation rooms and permanent quarters for a brigade command and combat units." 

Mefalsim Axis

The axis begins at the border point adjacent to "Mefalsim" and extends westward towards what is known as the Eastern Road, passing through the intersection of Salah al-Din Street with the main road leading to Beit Lahia (Hamouda Station).

 It continues through the "Qleibo" area near the Indonesian Hospital and adjacent to Tal al-Zaatar, northeast of Jabalia Camp. From there, it stretches westward along the main road, bypassing Sheikh Zayed City, and then reaches Beit Lahia, isolating it from the "Al-Mashrou' Area" until it reaches the seashore.

The occupation forces have not yet fully established control over the new axis, but they are present in large parts of it, particularly in the eastern section leading to the separation barrier. 

This includes the area around Sheikh Zayed Roundabout and the vicinity of the Indonesian Hospital, where they have set up a military checkpoint surrounded by earthen barriers and repurposed a large residential building as a command center and base for their forces.

The occupation forces have not officially declared the establishment of the "Mefalsim Axis," but their actions on the ground since the bloody ground invasion of Jabalia Camp indicate plans to take full control of this strip.

Southern Axis

The Southern Axis represents a strategic addition to Israel’s broader plan to fragment the Gaza Strip into isolated zones. This axis aims to sever the connection between Khan Yunis, located in the southern part of the Strip, and the central regions, thereby intensifying the territorial division of Gaza.

The Southern Axis ensures that movement between these areas is severely restricted by disconnecting the southern region from the central parts of Gaza. This isolation weakens logistical and social connections facilitating local resistance and economic activity.

The Southern Axis is a clear component of Israel’s broader strategy to fragment Gaza, creating a divided and weakened territory that aligns with its long-term security and political goals. This development, combined with other axes such as Netzarim and Mefalsim, underscores a systematic effort to reshape the Strip both geographically and demographically.

Strategic Objectives Behind the Plan

Israel’s field operations suggest that this plan extends beyond immediate military actions, aiming to achieve long-term objectives that could redefine the dynamics of the Gaza conflict.

Among those objectives is to undermine the resistance’s mobility. By fragmenting Gaza into isolated zones, Israel seeks to weaken the Palestinian resistance’s ability to operate and coordinate effectively.

Furthermore, by forcibly displacing residents from northern Gaza, Israel plans to transform these areas into “buffer zones,” echoing historical patterns of forced displacement as a core component of its occupation strategy.

 The partition aims to diminish Hamas’ governance in Gaza, creating conditions for an alternative administration under Israeli terms. Through new military corridors and permanent installations, Israel reinforces its security grip over the Strip and establishes a permanent military presence.

International Silence Amid Genocide

The partition plan coincides with Israel’s large-scale military assault on Gaza since October 2023. Despite international condemnation and calls to end the aggression, Israel continues to execute its plan with explicit U.S. support and deafening silence from global institutions.

In response, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa urged the United Nations to "take responsibility and stop Israel’s escalating crimes." He emphasized that "Gaza is facing an unprecedented collective punishment crime, amidst severe shortages of food, water, and medicine."

Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with U.S. support, has been waging a campaign of genocide in Gaza, resulting in the killing of more than 43,603 Palestinians and wounded 102,929, most of whom are children and women. Over 10,000 people remain missing amid massive destruction and famine that has claimed the lives of dozens of children and elderly individuals, marking one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in the world.

Israel’s plan to partition Gaza marks a dangerous turning point in the Palestinian struggle. As the occupation pushes forward, the Strip faces an uncertain future, with potential transformations that threaten not only its inhabitants but also the broader Palestinian cause.