The Israeli military announced on Wednesday the creation of a 15-kilometre-long security corridor in the southern Gaza Strip that effectively splits the city of Khan Younis in two.

Drone footage released by the Israel Defence Forces shows the newly established Magen Oz Corridor dividing the area into eastern and western sectors. Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city, has been a central battleground in recent months.

The IDF described the corridor as a “key component in applying pressure on Hamas”, with the stated aim of securing a decisive defeat of the Islamist group entrenched in the region.

The Magen Oz Corridor connects in the south to the Morag Corridor, which already separates Khan Younis from Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza near the Egyptian border. Together, the corridors form a strategic network of Israeli control lines that crisscross the Palestinian territory.

According to Israeli news outlet Ynet, the new corridor could also function as a bargaining chip in ongoing negotiations over a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously stated that physically dividing Gaza enhances Israel’s leverage over Hamas and indicated that such military tactics will continue until all hostages are freed.

Israeli officials are reportedly insisting that the military maintain a presence in southern Gaza even in the event of a ceasefire, including retaining control over wide swathes of territory.

Hamas, on the other hand, is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal to positions held prior to the collapse of the previous truce in March.

Meanwhile, in central Gaza, Israeli forces continue to control the Netzarim Corridor, a separate military route that effectively divides the enclave into northern and southern zones.

(dpa/NAN)