The Israeli military has expanded its restricted zones in the Gaza Strip, bringing a larger portion of the territory under direct military control.
This expansion limits the movement of Palestinians and restricts the delivery of humanitarian aid in a region already facing severe instability. The redrawing of boundaries creates a significant physical barrier to civilian life, and international relief efforts.
Reports published in late April 2026 indicate that the Israel Defense Forces have established a new boundary, identified as the “orange line” [1, 2]. This boundary marks the extent of the expanded restricted zones across much of the territory [2, 3].
Approximately 60% of the Gaza Strip is now under Israeli military control due to these expanded zones [1]. The military said the expansion is necessary to create a wider security buffer and limit the movement of militants [1, 4].
UN agencies have warned that these measures further restrict civilian movement and the flow of essential humanitarian aid [1, 4]. The new maps outline a shift in control that extends beyond previous ceasefire limits [2, 5].
Israeli forces continue to manage these zones to maintain security oversight [1]. The implementation of the orange line effectively partitions the territory, limiting where residents can safely travel or seek shelter [2, 5].
“Approximately 60% of the Gaza Strip is now under Israeli military control.”
The establishment of the 'orange line' represents a shift from targeted military operations to a broader structural control of Gaza's geography. By controlling 60% of the land, Israel significantly reduces the available safe zones for the civilian population and creates a permanent security corridor that complicates any future transitions of governance or humanitarian recovery efforts.
