Israel expands Gaza control with new "orange line" buffer zone

Israel has established a new military boundary inside Gaza, extending its control deeper into the enclave and further squeezing Palestinian living space. The line, referred to by Israeli forces as the "orange line," lies beyond the limits set by the current ceasefire agreement, according to military officials and satellite imagery reviewed by international monitors. The buffer zone cuts through agricultural land and approaches residential areas in several districts, forcing families to abandon homes and farms. United Nations agencies estimate that the expanded zone affects approximately 18 square kilometers, reducing the already limited territory available for civilian use. An Israeli military spokesperson stated that the new boundary is a "temporary security measure" to prevent attacks near the border. However, Palestinian officials and human rights groups argue it violates the ceasefire terms and amounts to a land grab. "This expansion shrinks Gaza further and deepens the humanitarian crisis," said a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. No official response from Hamas or the Palestinian Authority has been issued at the time of reporting. The ceasefire remains in effect, but the new line has heightened tensions along the frontier.