Zamir: We are prepared for a large-scale attack in the Gaza Strip and the yellow line for encirclement and control

The Chief of Staff of the Israeli occupation army, Eyal Zamir, claimed on Sunday that what is known as the "yellow line" in the Gaza Strip "constitutes a line of encirclement and control," and that the army must be "prepared to occupy additional areas of the strip if necessary."

This came during a field tour in the Rafah area in the southern part of the strip, which is fully controlled by the Israeli occupation army. This is despite the fact that the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan requires the army to gradually withdraw from the entire strip in parallel with the deployment of an international stabilization force.

Contrary to Zamir's claims, the "yellow line" is the line to which the army withdrew after the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since October 10, as part of the implementation of the first phase of President Donald Trump's plan to end the war on Gaza.

The "yellow danger" constitutes more than half of the area of the strip and represents a dividing line between areas still controlled by the occupation army and others from which it has withdrawn under the ceasefire, but it targets Palestinians who approach this line without crossing it.

The ceasefire agreement ended a genocide that "Israel" began on October 8, 2023, which lasted for two years and resulted in more than 69,000 Palestinian martyrs and over 170,000 injured, with massive destruction affecting 90 percent of civilian infrastructure, with initial losses estimated at $70 billion.

Zamir stated: "In Gaza, we control more than 50 percent of the land, without controlling the population," claiming that "the yellow line is a line of encirclement and control, and we continue to work to prevent the rebuilding of Hamas's strength by holding onto strategic areas and entrances to Gaza."

He added: "If requested, we must be prepared for a rapid transition to a wide attack to occupy areas in the Gaza Strip located behind the yellow line," according to what the Anadolu Agency reported.

Zamir indicated that the occupation army continues to work on the side of the line where it is stationed "to cleanse the area of infrastructure belonging to Hamas," as he put it.

He said that the army will continue its mission to dismantle the movement and disarm the strip "either through an agreement or by military means."

Zamir's statements reflect the army's readiness for a broader operational phase, despite the absence of an official announcement regarding an immediate change in military policy.

These statements come as Hebrew media have recently promoted plans regarding the possibility of dividing Gaza into two regions.

The Hebrew newspaper "Haaretz" reported on Friday that the army was surprised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approval of Washington's request to divide the strip into "New Gaza" and "Old Gaza."

The difference between the two regions is that "New Gaza" is included in the reconstruction of what the army destroyed during the years of genocide, while the other is the opposite.

According to "Haaretz," "New Gaza" will be among the areas under the control of the Israeli occupation army, east of the "yellow line" to which it withdrew under the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10, which includes more than half of the area of the strip.

Following the Hebrew media's claims about the division, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atti emphasized in an interview with the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" his country's "complete rejection of any attempt to divide the Gaza Strip or displace Palestinians."

He pointed out that "maintaining the unity of Palestinian territories is a fundamental pillar for any just, lasting, and comprehensive solution" in the region.