‘Israeli’ army confirms building massive sand barrier dividing Gaza
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The ‘Israeli’ military has confirmed it is building a massive sand barrier inside the Gaza Strip, further entrenching its occupation of the territory along the so-called “Yellow Line.”
According to satellite imagery analyzed by Planet Labs PBC and reported by the Associated Press, more than 23 kilometers (about 14 miles) of the barrier have been constructed in recent months.
The barrier consists of large sand and earth berms running through areas of demolished Palestinian communities.
Gaza is roughly 40 km long and 11 km wide, home to over two million Palestinians. The structures already span more than half the strip’s length, separating the area under ‘Israeli’ control—over 50% of the territory—from the rest.
Section of a barrier being built by the ‘Israeli’ military, right side of image moving top to bottom, in the central Gaza Strip. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
When presented with the images, the ‘Israeli’ military told the AP it has built a physical barrier in the area of the Yellow Line, the boundary to which its troops withdrew under the October 2025 ceasefire deal with Hamas.
The line was originally envisioned as temporary pending further withdrawal.
Alongside the barrier, the military said it has developed a “security zone” around the line equipped with intelligence and technological assets.
It aims “to prevent infiltration and protect Israeli troops and Israeli communities near Gaza,” claims the statement.
The military declined to specify how far the barrier would extend.
Construction has proceeded rapidly. In southern Gaza, one section grew from about 500 meters on July 1 to 2.4 km by July 15, separating ‘Israeli’-controlled ruins of Rafah from the Muwasi tent camps.
Palestinians fear the Yellow Line is becoming a permanent border as the truce stagnates, with ‘Israeli’ control reportedly expanding in some areas beyond the initial agreement.
