Israel Builds Earthen Barrier Beyond Ceasefire Line in Gaza, Raising Annexation Fears
Satellite images indicate that the Israeli military is constructing a large earthen barrier across central Gaza, separating areas under Israeli control from the rest of the enclave and increasing Palestinian concerns about a permanent territorial division.
The barrier, made up of an earth berm and trench, reportedly extends beyond the "yellow line" established under the U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement signed in October 2025. Reports say parts of the structure stretch hundreds of meters past the agreed demarcation and already cover more than 23 kilometers.
The construction cuts through Palestinian communities where homes, farmland, and infrastructure have already been heavily damaged during the war. Israel has also built new roads and military positions in some of these areas, prompting fears that displaced Palestinians may never be allowed to return.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has publicly spoken about establishing new military outposts in northern Gaza, while some Israeli activists have called for the return of Israeli settlements in the territory.
The Israeli military confirmed it is building a physical barrier near the yellow line but has not commented on claims that it extends beyond the agreed boundary. Palestinians remain confined to overcrowded coastal areas, where humanitarian conditions continue to worsen amid ongoing military operations.
