Israel exploited the ceasefire to increase its control over Gaza to more than 60%

Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza, stated that the Israeli occupation exploited the ceasefire period to expand its control within the Gaza Strip, at the expense of residential areas.

In a televised interview on Friday evening, al-Shawa explained that the occupation’s control before the ceasefire was estimated at approximately 53% of the Strip’s area, but it has now risen to over 60%, amid ongoing territorial expansion.

He indicated that this expansion encompasses vast residential areas stretching from Rafah in the south to Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun in the north, in addition to the eastern areas of Gaza City, where Israeli forces continue their demolition and bulldozing operations.

Al-Shawa emphasized that the occupation has used the recent period to reinforce its military presence at the expense of residential areas, noting that more than 2.2 million Palestinians are now besieged in an area no larger than 90 square kilometers of the Strip’s total area, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis to an unprecedented degree.

He pointed to the widespread destruction of infrastructure, particularly sewage networks and water lines, coupled with the prevention of the entry of materials necessary for their rehabilitation, which exacerbates health risks.

He also noted the accumulation of approximately 900,000 tons of waste in residential neighborhoods and shelters, further deteriorating the health and environmental conditions in the Gaza Strip.

Al-Shawa explained that nearly 19,000 patients are in dire need of medical evacuation for urgent surgeries, emphasizing that the Gaza Strip is experiencing an advanced stage of catastrophe that portends even more serious repercussions in the coming period.

He added that more than 90% of the Strip’s population relies entirely on humanitarian aid to meet their daily needs, amidst an extremely harsh humanitarian situation exacerbated by the effects of recent storms.

He concluded by stating that the occupation forces have crossed the so-called “yellow line” and expanded their presence within the Gaza Strip, in clear violation of existing arrangements.