Israel is apparently expanding a road to control the Gaza Strip. The road divides the sealed-off coastal strip south of the city of Gaza from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean coast.
Israel already controls key north-south roads in Gaza. The expansion of the road shows how the Israeli army is preparing for the next phase of the war, in which it plans to withdraw from populated areas and focus on targeted attacks against Hamas. This could take months or even years, it said, citing Israeli officials.