Israel is building a dam in Gaza that Palestinians fear will cost them more than half their territory.

Israel has begun constructing an earth embankment in the Gaza Strip, which separates areas under Israeli military control from the rest of the enclave. The rapid pace of construction has raised fears among Palestinians that the embankment could become a new border with Israel, potentially leading to the loss of more than half of Gaza’s territory. Satellite images have revealed that parts of occupied areas have been completely erased, with Israeli forces using the ruins to establish bases and roads. The Israeli military confirmed to the Associated Press (AP) that it has started building a physical barrier along the so-called “yellow line,” which divides areas under its control from the remaining part of Gaza. This barrier is intended to prevent infiltration and enhance security for Israeli troops and communities near Gaza. According to the military, the area around the yellow line has been designated as a security zone equipped with surveillance and technological means. The AP analysis of satellite imagery indicates that over the past months, Israeli forces have constructed approximately 23 kilometers of this barrier. Unlike a traditional wall, the structure consists of an earth embankment made from soil. The rate of construction has been swift, with reports showing that within two weeks, Israeli forces built more than two kilometers of the barrier. On July 1st, the barrier was only about 500 meters long, but by July 15th, it had extended to nearly 2.4 kilometers. The segment being built currently separates the city of Rafah, under Israeli control, from the coastal area of Al Mawasi. If the construction continues in its current direction, the embankment would connect with the longest existing section of the barrier, which stretches almost continuously for about 17 kilometers from Khan Younis to the outskirts of Gaza City. Work is ongoing in this area, with efforts continuing toward the south. Additionally, some isolated sections of the embankment have been placed in the north of Gaza near Beit Lahia. Palestinians fear that the construction of the embankment signals the potential establishment of a permanent boundary between Gaza and Israel. While the peace plan for Gaza explicitly states that Israel will not occupy or annex Palestinian enclaves, the current developments suggest otherwise. Even if Hamas were to delay or reject disarming, the plan anticipates that Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza, allowing international stabilization forces under the Trump Peace Team to take over control. However, these scenarios remain uncertain. Hamas has yet to agree to disarm, and Israeli forces have expanded their territorial control, overseeing between 60 and 70 percent of Gaza. The Trump Peace Team has shifted from ambitious plans to a less certain small-scale pilot project. International stabilization forces still do not exist, and their formation faces numerous challenges. In addition to constructing the barrier, the AP noted during its satellite image analysis that Israeli forces have completely destroyed several cities in areas under their control. Images show that bulldozers and explosives have been used to demolish many buildings, effectively erasing entire neighborhoods. Among them is Rafah, where significant destruction has occurred. These actions highlight the extent of the impact of the Israeli military presence on civilian life in the region.