Analysis of satellite images has revealed that a new road is being constructed across the east and west of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military continues to attack, dividing the area. Experts point out the possibility that the Israeli military is looking at dividing the Gaza Strip from the inside into north and south and managing it in the future, saying, ``In that case, it would be a major change in the management policy of the past 20 years.'' I am analyzing.
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A road that crosses east and west as if dividing
Expert: “Management policy has undergone a major shift”
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table of contents
A road that crosses east and west as if dividing
Expert: “Management policy has undergone a major shift”
Around Rapha
A road that crosses east and west as if dividing
1/13 satellite image
Seven days ago, it has been six months since the battle between Israel and the Islamic organization Hamas began, but the Israeli side remains determined to continue the fight with the goal of recapturing the hostages and eliminating Hamas.
As the fighting continues to drag on, we analyzed satellite images taken of the Gaza Strip and found that while only some roads could be seen as of January 13th, images from February 14th show that the area stretches from north to south. You can see that a road is starting to be constructed that crosses the east and west, dividing the area.
Satellite image of 2/14
Satellite image of 3/12
And in the images from March 12, the road extends further, reaching the Mediterranean Sea at the western edge of the district.
The red frame is the position where the satellite image is enlarged
Where crossroads and Salahaddin Street intersect
Satellite image of 3/20
In addition, images taken on March 20th show cars gathering and structures being built on the open land where this new east-west crossing road intersects with Salahaddin Street, the main road running north-south through the district. You can see that it is.
4/4 satellite image
In the image taken on April 4th, construction has progressed further, and a wall-like structure can be seen, as well as two elongated structures that appear to be in place.
Expert: “Management policy has undergone a major shift”
Project Associate Professor Hiroyuki Suzuki, Center for Middle East Studies, University of Tokyo
Regarding the series of roads and structures that the Israeli side is constructing, Hiroyuki Suzuki, a specially appointed associate professor at the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Tokyo, who is an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian situation, said similar facilities have been seen in the West Bank, and said, ``I believe they are infrastructure for attacks.'' Rather, it is thought that it was constructed to maintain public order with an eye to the post-war era.The Gaza Strip was divided into north and south, allowing for quick response in the event of protests using mobile vehicles, and roads being constructed. There is a possibility that something like a checkpoint has been built at the intersection to control the movement of people and goods.In the future, something like a concrete separation wall or a guard tower will be built. The focus will be on whether or not it will be successful."
He went on to point out that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu presented a post-war plan to his wartime cabinet in February, and reportedly stated that Israel would be responsible for security in the Gaza Strip, saying, ``As far as I can see from this road, there is no need to worry about the Gaza Strip.'' It is reasonable to think of it as an infrastructure that divides the Gaza Strip from the inside and controls the movement of people and goods.Since 2005, Israel has been managing the Gaza Strip by sealing it off from the outside, but with the construction of this road, If troops were to be deployed inside and take on the responsibility of maintaining security, it would represent a major change in Israel's control policy over the past 20 years."
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With the announcement of the Israeli military's withdrawal from Khan Yunis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, what kind of operations will the Israeli military undertake in the future?
Many Palestinians who were forced to evacuate to the southern part of the area are watching these developments with anxiety.
The Israeli military operation began on October 7 last year in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas. After a temporary cessation of fighting in December, the Israeli military's attacks spread from the northern part of the region to areas such as Khan Yunis in the south and the central region.
As the front expanded, many people flocked to Rafah, the southern end of the Gaza Strip, near the border with Egypt.
Satellite images of the area show that tents were gathered near the UN facility in mid-November last year, but by early January this year, a huge number of tents had been erected on the surrounding land. I understand this.
Satellite image around Rafah in November 2023
Satellite image around Rafah in January
Satellite image of April 1st (enlarged)
A closer look at the images from April 1st shows that tents are being erected on more than 250 hectares of land adjacent to the city, and tents are also being erected in Rafah's urban area, using farmland between houses to sneak into gaps. is spreading.
Satellite images also show that tents are crowding the roads in some areas.
The United Nations estimates that as many as 1.5 million refugees, more than half of the total population of the Gaza Strip, have crammed into Rafah, which has a population of about 250,000, and are sheltering in shelters or living in tents.
Many tents are set up in areas with no infrastructure, and living conditions are poor, leading to concerns about the spread of infectious diseases.
Expert: ``Evacuation life itself is inhumane''
Specially Appointed Associate Professor Suzuki said, ``The maximum number of people that can be accommodated has been exceeded, and the evacuation itself is in an inhumane condition,'' pointing out that the lives of those living in tents are already in danger.
Regarding future developments, he said, ``It is possible that Israel will step up its attacks in stages without making a clear declaration, just as it did when the current military operation in the Gaza Strip began.''If ground forces are deployed to Rafah, "This directly puts the lives of those evacuated at risk," he said, expressing concern that the crisis could escalate further.
United Nations Satellite Center analyzes that 35% of buildings in Gaza Strip are damaged