Gaza Strip
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. Following the October 7, 2023 massacre, the territory has been the primary theater of an intensive IDF military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas's military and governmental capabilities.
The Gaza Strip remains a critical focal point of Israeli national security and regional stability. Historically part of the British Mandate and later occupied by Egypt (1948–1967), the territory came under Israeli control during the Six-Day War. In 2005, Israel implemented the Disengagement Plan, withdrawing all military forces and civilian settlements. However, the subsequent rise of Hamas and its violent takeover in 2007 transformed Gaza into a primary launchpad for terror activities, including rocket fire and cross-border incursions. As of June 2026, the Gaza Strip is characterized by ongoing high-intensity conflict. The IDF continues to conduct targeted operations to eliminate senior terror leadership and destroy subterranean infrastructure. Prime Minister Netanyahu recently stated that Israel holds operational control over 60 percent of the territory, with directives to reach 70 percent. Recent activity has centered on the southern sector, particularly around Khan Yunis, where the military has issued evacuation warnings ahead of strikes. These operations include the precision elimination of senior figures like Sakr Abu Karim, a Nukhba commander involved in the October 7 Kisufim infiltration. Humanitarian policy in the strip has seen significant shifts; while Israel recently halted aid following security consultations, COGAT announced the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing for gradual aid entry as of June 8, 2026. The IDF maintains a persistent presence to prevent the rehabilitation of terror assets while navigating complex regional pressures involving Iran and its proxies.