Israeli forces have intensified their military operations campaign in southern Gaza. To do so, they’re focusing on the strategically important Morag Axis, an area that used to be home to an Israeli settlement. The Morag Axis runs through the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis. It’s a linchpin for the Israeli military, as they attempt to encircle and conquer northern Gaza, Gaza City, and other strategic chunks of the enclave.
Israeli forces have started to take possession of the Morag Axis. This decision is in line with the general offensive to break Hamas’s hold and military power within Gaza. This sweeping operation is being carried out alongside mass forced displacement of the city’s Palestinian inhabitants, as civilians are driven from their homes by the growing violence. The Israeli military has described the Morag Axis as a key location in their strategy to manage operations within the densely populated region.
“Over the past 24 hours, the 36th Division’s troops completed the establishment of the Morag route, separating Rafah and Khan Younis,” stated a spokesperson for the Israeli military. Retaining the Morag Axis is key to changing the battlefield dynamics between these two cities. Its importance goes beyond tactical operations as well and into protecting the lives of civilians.
This last Axis de Morag serves as a key tactical as well as symbolic target. It reflects, and is used to project, Israel’s historical ties to the region. The name conjures up visions of a past community that was removed in Israel’s disengagement from Gaza in 2005. Today, this place has turned into the main headquarters of military operations. It does highlight the tactical importance of Israel’s push to take full control of southern Gaza.
As Israeli forces move deeper, the humanitarian impact becomes progressively catastrophic. Palestinians are being evacuated out of the Morag Axis area. This decision marks an escalation of hostility and a desperate dash for the exits in the shadow of an unavoidable war’s approach. The ongoing military actions and resulting population displacements raise concerns about the impact on civilians and the humanitarian crisis developing in Gaza.