Israel builds 23-km earthen barrier inside Gaza, deepening territorial split

Published: July 21, 2026 01:10 pm IST – Cairo Source: AP

The Israeli military is quietly but rapidly constructing a giant earthen barrier that separates the more than 50% of the Gaza Strip it controls from the rest of the territory, according to satellite imagery. The project is further entrenching the division of the small Palestinian enclave.

More than 23 km (14 miles) of the barrier have been built in recent months, cutting through Palestinian communities that were demolished by the military. This length represents more than half of the coastal strip, which is approximately 40 km (25 miles) long and 11 km (7 miles) wide, and is home to over 2 million Palestinians.

Barrier follows the 'yellow line' ceasefire boundary

When presented with the satellite images, Israel's military confirmed to The Associated Press that it has built a physical barrier in the area of the so-called yellow line — the boundary to which Israeli troops withdrew under the October ceasefire deal with Hamas. The line was envisioned in the U.S.-backed agreement as a temporary division of the territory, pending a fuller Israeli withdrawal.

However, as the truce stagnates, Israel appears to be digging in, heightening Palestinian fears that the line is evolving into a permanent border. Neither U.S. Central Command, which is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, nor the Board of Peace — the body led by U.S. President Donald Trump meant to eventually oversee Gaza — would comment on the barrier.

Alongside the barrier, the military told AP it has developed a "security zone" around the line, equipped with intelligence and technological assets. It declined to provide details on the barrier's route when asked how far it would be extended, stating that the barrier aims to prevent infiltration and protect Israeli troops and communities near Gaza.

Construction proceeding rapidly

Since the ceasefire deal took effect, Palestinians in Gaza have feared that Israel would not return the areas it controls. However, few appear to be aware of the berms now being built around them — due to the danger of even approaching that area.

Key developments in construction, based on satellite images from Planet Labs PBC:

• Southern Gaza: A portion of the berm network was extended by more than 2 km (1.2 miles) in two weeks this month.
• On July 1, the berm was about 500 metres (0.3 miles) long.
• By July 15, it had grown to about 2.4 km (1.5 miles), cutting through the Israel-controlled ruins of Rafah and separating them from Muwasi, which hosts some of the largest Palestinian tent camps.

• Northern and central Gaza: If construction continues in its current direction, it will connect with the longest stretch of the barrier, which runs nearly unbroken for around 17 km (10 miles) from the southern city of Khan Younis to near Gaza City in the north.

• Timeline: Construction on that stretch began in February, and work to extend it further south continues. More than a kilometre (0.6 miles) was added between June 21 and July 7, running close to an Israeli military base built on the ruins of the town of Bani Suheila.