IDF prepares new perimeter for Gaza security defense lines

The IDF said that its forces would be ready to fire on any Hamas or Islamic Jihad forces that violated any of the new security zones.

 Southern Command Commander, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, in the Gaza Strip, January 18, 2025. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Southern Command Commander, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, in the Gaza Strip, January 18, 2025.
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

As part of the cease-fire that is set to start on Sunday at 8:30 a.m., the IDF on Saturday night published maps and rules for where Palestinians can and cannot move around in this transition period at the start of Phase 1 of the ceasefire.

These movement areas are expected to evolve from week to week during the 42-day Phase-1 period, presuming Hamas delivers Israeli hostages to the IDF as it has committed to under the hostage-ceasefire deal.

According to the IDF, on Sunday it will start the process of withdrawing to three defensive perimeter lines surrounding Gaza.

On Saturday night, the IDF published maps and rules for where Palestinians can move around in this transition period at the start of Phase I of the ceasefire and where they cannot move around.

IDF Division 162 will man the northern line, the Gaza Division will man the central Gaza line, and Division 143 will man the southern line.

 162nd Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen, during a tour in the northern Gaza envelope area, January 18, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
162nd Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen, during a tour in the northern Gaza envelope area, January 18, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Moreover, the military said that its forces would be ready to fire on any Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad forces that violate any of the new security zones.

Increased attacks on terror infrastructure

In addition, the IDF said that it would go into overdrive to destroy additional terror infrastructure, using both ground and air fire.

Military sources said that in recent days, the army has increased its level of attacks on terror infrastructure as the clock winds down to the ceasefire going into effect.

Drafts of the ceasefire agreement have said that at various points, the IDF will withdraw to 700 meters from the Israel-Gaza border and at certain points to 1,100 meters from the border.


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Two of the central tense questions surround the IDF withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor, splitting northern and southern Gaza and the Philadelphi Corridor in deep southern Gaza on the border with Egypt.

Regarding the Netzarim withdrawal, it is set to happen around the second week of the ceasefire, with some unspecified continued monitoring of whether Hamas terrorists return to northern Gaza.

Withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor is covered in even greater ambiguity, set to take place between day 42 to 50 of the ceasefire, but only if Israel and Hamas reach understandings regarding return of the remaining hostages who are not sent back in Phase 1, as well as possible new negotiations about how Gaza will be governed in the post-war era.