Israel Changes the Rules of the Game in Gaza: Systematic Escalation and Borders Drawn by Force

Gaza - Al-Quds Special Correspondent - The Gaza Strip has witnessed a gradual military escalation in recent weeks, taking on a systematic and expanding character, moving beyond the framework of limited operations or localized responses, to reflect the features of a new security strategy through which Israel seeks to re-engineer the field scene and impose different security equations by force.

This escalation is characterized by its geographical breadth and temporal recurrence, targeting multiple areas throughout the Strip, including residential areas and civilian sites, in the absence of effective international pressure that could curb this trajectory or limit its repercussions.

Observers believe that this shift cannot be read as a fleeting reaction, but rather as part of a deliberate policy aimed at redefining the rules of engagement and creating a new security reality within the Strip.

Expanding the "Yellow Line"

The escalation coincides with the expansion of what is known as the "Yellow Line," in a move that reflects a practical Israeli endeavor to redraw the security borders within Gaza, and create a wider field area controlled by Israeli forces.

Analysts believe that this expansion aims to enshrine greater freedom of movement for the occupation army, and establish a new deterrence equation based on continuous pressure and the cost of attrition.

Writer and political analyst Dhu al-Fiqar Suwerjo confirms that what is happening goes beyond the framework of "tactical responses," and reflects a systematic escalation policy aimed at reshaping the rules of engagement and imposing field realities that serve the Israeli security and military vision.

He points out to "Y" that the expansion of the "Yellow Line" constitutes a central tool in this strategy, allowing for the imposition of additional restrictions on the movement of residents and increasing pressure on the environment supporting the resistance.

Targeting Societal Resilience

The objectives of the escalation, according to Suwerjo, are not limited to the military dimension alone, but extend to an attempt to weaken the resilience of the population by expanding the scope of targeting to include civilians and residential areas, thereby exacerbating the psychological and social impact, and deepening the state of anxiety and instability.

He adds that the Israeli message is clear: raising the cost of any form of resistance or resilience, in an attempt to push Palestinian factions to make political or military concessions under continuous field and economic pressure.

Absence of International Deterrence

For his part, Adel Yassin, a specialist in Israeli affairs, believes that the widening scope of targeting reflects an Israeli feeling of the absence of effective international deterrence, in light of the international community's silence or inability to impose real pressure that would stop military operations or limit their scope.

Yassin told "Y" that this reality grants Israel a wide political and security margin for maneuver, with indirect support or supervision from international coordination circles.

Yassin points out that the escalation also serves internal political objectives, especially in light of a heated electoral atmosphere, as it is used to satisfy the right-wing public and demonstrate the continuation of "security control," in addition to restoring the confidence of settlers in the Gaza envelope in the military establishment's ability to protect them.

De-escalation at Stake

Regarding the future of the de-escalation agreement, Yassin warns that continued violations would undermine any political path or serious reconstruction efforts, stressing that the fate of the agreement remains dependent on the seriousness of mediators and the US administration in obliging Israel to its commitments.

He believes that any laxity in this context will keep the possibilities of explosion open, while regional and international pressure constitutes a decisive factor in curbing the escalation.

Observers agree that attempts to impose permanent realities by force in Gaza have historically proven to have limited long-term results, given the community's ability to adapt and endure. This makes any field gains susceptible to erosion over time, and leaves the scene open to multiple possibilities between escalation and containment.

The occupation forces continue their violations of the ceasefire agreement with the "Hamas" movement, which came into effect on October 10th. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, the number of martyrs and injured since the agreement came into force has reached 615 martyrs and 1,651 injured, in addition to the recovery of 726 martyrs from under the rubble.