Israeli Plan to Establish Temporary Neighborhoods in Rafah Amid Continuing Tension with Hamas

The Hebrew newspaper "Maariv" revealed the imminent start of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, noting that the Israeli army has identified safe areas as an alternative to the current dividing line.

The newspaper explained that the Israeli army has identified green areas for Americans within the area surrounding the yellow line in Rafah, with the aim of establishing a primary infrastructure for the construction of temporary residential neighborhoods for Gaza residents in the southern part of the Strip.

Israeli officials confirmed that work is underway to level the area and extend water and sanitation networks, in preparation for the transfer of mobile homes (caravans) to the site, in addition to preparing for the construction of schools, clinics and kindergartens.

According to the American plan, entry to this area will be limited to families that have been examined and confirmed that their members do not carry weapons or are affiliated with Hamas. Israel insists that it will not proceed with the second phase before recovering the body of soldier Ran Gvili, with expectations of resuming the search for him in the Al-Zaytoun area south of Gaza City.

The newspaper quoted the occupation army as saying that Hamas continues its operations and seeks to enhance its military capabilities. A military source indicated that Hamas is trying to reach the yellow line, where it is conducting patrols with armed men or its members are disguised in civilian clothes to return to their homes, in addition to collecting intelligence and monitoring the deployment of Israeli army forces on the yellow line and their vigilance.

The security establishment in Tel Aviv confirmed that Israel may insist on delegating broad powers to the multinational force that will operate in the Gaza Strip. A military source explained that Hamas has received a strong blow, and that all the goals of the war have been achieved except for the recovery of the remains of officer Ran Gvili, but Hamas still possesses tunnels and may reproduce weapons in the future.

The source added that Israel does not want to repeat the experience of the UNIFIL force in Lebanon, which was operating under Article Six of the Security Council resolution, which limits the use of the multinational force to self-defense only. Israel will demand that the force operate under Article Seven, which gives it the authority to use weapons for enforcement purposes, while enabling it to actively work to disarm Hamas and prevent operations from Gaza against Israel.

According to Israeli estimates, the Chief of Staff's statement that the yellow line is a new border will be established as such for a long time, and perhaps permanently. A military source confirmed that even during the second phase of the ceasefire, the Israeli army will remain in the area adjacent to the yellow line, and will retain control over monitoring and firing inside Gaza.

The Israeli military source concluded his statement by pointing out that the army, within the framework of the military move led by the Chief of Staff, has the ability to safely control monitoring and firing throughout the Gaza Strip, without Israel being obligated to control the lives of more than two million people in Gaza and provide them with food, water and medicine, which the source considered a great success.