IDF vastly expanding Gaza buffer zone, which is set to include all of Rafah city

During operations in Gaza in recent weeks, the IDF has been vastly expanding its buffer zone along the borders with the Strip, which is set to include the entire city of Rafah — around 20% of the Palestinian enclave.

Troops are in the midst of establishing the so-called Morag Corridor between Rafah and Khan Younis. The IDF also issued evacuation warnings for the entire Rafah area several weeks ago.

Once the Morag Corridor is fully established, the IDF’s buffer zone in southern Gaza will stretch from the Egypt border — the Philadelphi Corridor area — to the outskirts of Khan Younis, around 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) away, and include the entire city of Rafah within it.

The IDF’s buffer zone elsewhere on the border with Gaza is also being expanded, from several hundred meters to around 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) in most areas.

The expanded buffer zone can be seen on the IDF’s evacuation warning maps issued to Palestinians in recent weeks.

#عاجل ‼️ نكرر تحذيراتنا العاجلة إلى جميع سكان قطاع غزة المتواجدين في منطقة دير البلح في الأحياء: الصحابة، السماح, العودة، الزوايدة والصلاح
????هذا انذار مسبق وأخير قبل الهجوم!????
⭕️سنهاجم بقوة شديدة كل منطقة يتم استخدامها لإطلاق قذائف صاروخية.
⭕️تتحمل المنظمات الارهابية وفي مقدمتها… pic.twitter.com/63aN65wkLG

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) April 7, 2025