Palestinians say IDF building positions in newly captured areas of Gaza

Israeli troops could be seen clearing ground and building watch towers in parts of Gaza they have seized in recent days in a renewed offensive that the United Nations says has already captured or depopulated two-thirds of the enclave.

The army has issued repeated evacuation warnings to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in southern, central and northern areas since it resumed operations in Gaza on March 18, forcing them into a diminishing space limited by the sea.

Zakia Sami, 60, a mother of six from Gaza City, says she could see tanks occupying the high ground as she fled her home after the army ordered the family out of the eastern suburb of Shejaiya.

Israel announced plans last week to seize a “security zone” around the edges of the Gaza Strip, a month after a ceasefire expired. It has not said what its long-term plan is for the recaptured territory.

Residents said there were increasing signs the military was digging in for an extended stay, building watchtowers in Shejaiya in the north and around the former Israeli settlement of Morag, between the cities of Khan Younis and Rafah in the south.

Footage circulating on social media showed a large crane protected by machine guns and security cameras near Morag as well as earthmoving equipment at work near Shejaiya.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel was establishing a corridor bisecting Gaza in the Morag area.