Israel has tightened its grip on the Gaza Strip since it resumed its war against Hamas, The Associated Press reports. Israel has now seized more than half of the territory, forcing Palestinians to live in smaller, more restricted areas.
The largest area under military control is along the Gaza border. Israeli soldiers and human rights activists say the military has demolished Palestinian homes, land, and structures there, turning them into uninhabitable areas. The buffer zone, which was created for military purposes, has doubled in size in recent weeks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that Israel would continue to monitor security in Gaza even after Hamas is defeated and will push Palestinians out.
The demolitions and expansion of the buffer zone along Israel’s border began 18 months ago, at the start of the war. The military told The Associated Press.
