Gaza
The Gaza Strip is a coastal territory on the Mediterranean Sea, bordering Israel and Egypt. Since 2007, it has been under the de facto control of the Hamas terror organization, leading to multiple military conflicts, most notably the war sparked by the October 7, 2023, massacre.
The Gaza Strip remains a central theater in Israel's national security strategy. Historically part of the British Mandate and later occupied by Egypt (1948–1967), the territory came under Israeli control following the Six-Day War. In 2005, Israel executed a unilateral disengagement, withdrawing all military forces and dismantling all Jewish communities in the Strip. However, the subsequent rise of Hamas in 2007 transformed the area into a primary launchpad for jihadist aggression, characterized by extensive tunnel networks and rocket fire directed at Israeli civilians.
Following the catastrophic events of October 7, 2023, the IDF launched a large-scale campaign to dismantle Hamas's military and governmental capabilities. As of July 2026, the strategic focus has shifted toward long-term stabilization and the prevention of a Hamas resurgence. Defense Minister Israel Katz has recently signaled a 'security-first' doctrine, declaring that the IDF will maintain an open-ended presence in security zones within the Strip to protect Israeli border communities. This includes maintaining a security cordon and ensuring that the Palestinian Authority (PA) does not return to fill the power vacuum.
Current diplomatic and operational efforts involve the U.S.-mandated 'Board of Peace,' which is preparing to launch pilot zones in areas like Rafah. These zones are intended to be policed by local Palestinian forces—screened for Hamas or PA affiliation—and armed only with non-lethal weapons like Tasers. Meanwhile, the White House has reaffirmed that no reconstruction of the Strip will commence until full demilitarization is achieved. Recent intelligence disclosures have also shed light on pre-2023 failures, including reports of exposed Mossad operations within the Strip between 2020 and 2021. Despite the degradation of major terror infrastructure, Gaza remains a volatile front where targeted strikes against Hamas leadership continue alongside efforts to establish a new civilian administrative reality.