The Israeli army has announced the establishment of a new corridor in Gaza — the third such axis Israel has carved across the war-torn strip as part of its strategy to tighten pressure on Hamas. In a new video it shows what this will mean.
Newsweek has reached out to Hamas officials for comment.
Why It Matters
The establishment of a third corridor demonstrates Israel’s strategy to weaken Hamas and shape Gaza’s post-war political geography, through an intensified military expansion into Gaza after nearly 21 months of an offensive that has badly damaged Hamas but failed to eliminate it or force it release remaining Israeli hostages.
The United States has been increasing its push for a ceasefire amid a deepening humanitarian crisis—including mounting deaths near aid distribution points.
What To Know
The “Magen Oz” is a new nearly 10 mile long route that divides Gaza’s Khan Younis in two and is “is a central part of exerting pressure on Hamas and defeating the Khan Yunis Brigade,” the IDF said Wednesday.
במבצע מיוחד של אוגדה 36: כוחות 188 וגולני השלימו את פתיחת ציר ׳מגן עוז׳ במרחב חאן יונסלכל הפרטים:https://t.co/2XqqaBp6lz pic.twitter.com/XLYiUJVIAU
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) July 16, 2025
In April, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the Morag corridor to separate Rafah from the rest of Gaza, especially Khan Younis. “Because we are now dividing the Strip and increasing the pressure step by step, so that they will give us our hostages. And as long as they do not give them to us, the pressure will increase until they do,” Netanyahu had stated.
Israeli forces completed the Netzarim Corridor in 2024, splitting Gaza south of Gaza City and blocking displaced Palestinians from returning north—though limited crossings were allowed during a temporary ceasefire this year. The corridor and its surrounding military zone allow Israel to target Hamas and control aid flows into northern Gaza under tight restrictions, according to the Times of Israel.
This followed Israel’s establishment of control over the Philadelphi Corridor on the border between Rafah and Egypt.
Israel’s offensive began in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed and around 250 taken hostage. Since then, more than 58,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local authorities.
Israel’s moves to divide the territory have intensified Palestinian suspicions for plans floated to displace Gaza’s population once the fighting ends. Arab governments have rejected proposals of displacement or resettlement, endorsing reconstruction plans that keep Gazans in their homes.
Hamas has rejected the splitting of Gaza with sources telling Al-Arabiya television that a ceasefire deal may be hindered by the implementation of the Morag Corridor on the grounds that it prevents nearly 400,000 displaced Palestinians from returning to homes in Rafah in the south of the strip.
What People Are Saying
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X: “The Southern Command continues to expand and strengthen control over this central axis and to work on ensuring the security of the citizens of the State of Israel—particularly residents of the Gaza envelope.”
Mustafa Barghouti, Palestinian politician and Leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, wrote on X: “In addition to Morag corridor that separates Khan Younes from Rafah the Israeli government is creating Magan Oz corridor to separate the Eastern part of Khan Younes from the Western part . An act that could destroy the ceasefire negotiations and would consolidate the Israeli plans of creating a concentration camp in Rafah to enforce ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians in Gaza.”
What Happens Next
Discussions continue on a ceasefire but so far with little progress. A major sticking point has been that Hamas seeks a complete end to the war that would leave it with a foothold in Gaza, while Israel has said it will keep fighting until Hamas no longer poses a threat.
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