Is Israel’s new berm cementing Gaza’s shrinking geography?

Israel is constructing extensive earth berms along a de facto axis surrounding Gaza, a move that effectively confines the Strip's population to approximately 40% of its territory. This strategy is unfolding even as the war's focus has shifted regionally, drawing attention away from Gaza despite its fragile conditions. The construction, which has accelerated significantly, aims to restrict movement and potentially uncover tunnels.

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Although the berm does not yet resemble the physical barrier that surrounded Gaza before Oct. 7, it is being constructed to restrict above-ground movement.

The berms, stretching from the south near al-Mawasi towards Khan Younis and continuing in sections northward toward Beit Lahia, are designed to limit above-ground movement. The Israeli military has indirectly confirmed this purpose. Additionally, excavation work for the berms may be intended to detect and destroy tunnels that could facilitate movement out of the restricted zone. This suggests a potential long-term plan by Israel to reshape the physical landscape of Gaza.

From a political standpoint, the berm construction is viewed as Israel exploiting the regional environment to advance its interests. The strategy relies heavily on targeted killings and intermittent military strikes, serving as a constant reminder to Gaza's population of the consequences of opposing Israeli policies. This approach is seen as an extension of Israel's traditional strategic methods, employing significant force to achieve its objectives.

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Even this possibility suggests that the construction may form part of a longer-term plan.

Despite an agreement that theoretically requires Israel's withdrawal in subsequent stages, the reality on the ground is a continued reduction of territory available to Gaza's population. By building these berms, Israel appears to be creating a fait accompli, physically entrenching its control and altering the geography of the Gaza Strip to its strategic advantage.

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This strategy, which relies heavily on brute force, can be regarded as an extension of Israel’s traditional strategic approach.