Israel completes Morag axis takeover as Gaza evacuations expand

Israeli military pushes deeper into Gaza while Hamas eyes ceasefire progress amid escalating airstrikes.

A view of residential buildings demolished during an Israeli attack in Gaza, Palestinian territories, on April 9, 2025. Photo by Saeed Jaras/Middle East Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Israel announced on Saturday that its military had completed the takeover of the Morag axis, a strategic corridor in southern Gaza, intensifying its push across the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. The announcement came as tens of thousands of civilians in Khan Yunis and surrounding areas were ordered to evacuate ahead of further military operations. This move underscores Israel’s deepening campaign to secure key regions of Gaza, despite ongoing international calls for restraint and a renewed ceasefire.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the successful seizure of the Morag axis marks a critical step in establishing a “security zone” between Rafah and Khan Yunis, with operations now extending from the Philadelphi Route to Morag. Defence Minister Israel Katz addressed the residents of Gaza, warning of imminent expansion of military activities to other parts of the enclave.

“The IDF has now completed its takeover of the Morag axis, which crosses Gaza between Rafah and Khan Yunis, turning the entire area between the Philadelphi Route and Morag into part of the Israeli security zone,” Katz said in a statement. “Soon, IDF operations will intensify and expand to other areas throughout most of Gaza, and you will need to evacuate the combat zones.”

Evacuation orders and intensified military operations

Shortly after the announcement that Israel completes Morag axis takeover, the military issued sweeping evacuation orders for Khan Yunis and its surrounding neighborhoods. This followed the interception of three projectiles launched from southern Gaza earlier in the day. The IDF confirmed that it would respond with “intense strikes” on any location identified as a launch site for attacks against Israeli forces.

“IDF troops are operating with significant force in the area,” a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter) read. “They will strike with intensity on any location from which rockets are launched.”

The situation in Gaza remains dire. The United Nations warned that these expanding evacuation orders amount to the “forcible transfer” of civilians, pushing them into ever-smaller enclaves with increasingly limited access to food, water, and shelter.

Mounting casualties as fighting escalates

According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 1,500 Palestinians have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive following the breakdown of a temporary ceasefire on March 18. The total death toll since the war began has now reached at least 50,933.

The UN human rights office stated on Friday that dozens of Israeli airstrikes have resulted in casualties composed entirely of women and children, further deepening the humanitarian crisis. On Saturday, AFP footage captured the grim aftermath of one such strike: four bodies wrapped in white shrouds lay at a hospital, with mourners gathered in prayer before burial.

Ceasefire talks remain uncertain

Despite the intensifying conflict, a Hamas official told AFP that the group still sees the possibility of “real progress” toward a ceasefire. Senior Hamas leaders were scheduled to meet Egyptian mediators in Cairo later on Saturday, though the official—speaking on condition of anonymity—said no new proposals had yet been received.

“We hope the meeting will achieve real progress towards reaching an agreement to end the war, halt the aggression and ensure the full withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza,” the official said.

Reports in Israeli media suggest that Egypt’s current draft proposal involves the release of eight living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for a truce lasting between 40 and 70 days. In return, a large number of Palestinian prisoners would be released.

Israel’s strategic goals and international response

The Israeli government has maintained that its ongoing operations are intended to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages, with 58 individuals still believed to be held in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials have repeatedly stressed that military pressure is essential to securing the hostages’ freedom.

However, the international community has grown increasingly alarmed by the scale of the destruction and displacement in Gaza. The UN and human rights organizations continue to raise concerns about the long-term viability of Palestinian society in the region amid what they describe as systematic attacks and displacement.

Washington has also been involved behind the scenes. President Donald Trump, during a recent cabinet meeting, expressed optimism, saying, “We’re getting close to getting them (hostages) back.” Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, was quoted by Israeli media saying that “a very serious deal is taking shape, it’s a matter of days.”

Still, the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate, with humanitarian agencies warning that time is running out to prevent a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe. Aid has remained blocked or heavily restricted, with reports indicating that Israel has cut off humanitarian assistance to the territory for over a month.

Gaza’s future uncertain as Israel deepens control

With Israel completing its takeover of the Morag axis, and preparing for broader operations across the strip, fears are rising that the military intends to permanently reshape the landscape of Gaza. The creation of a “security zone” along the Egyptian border and in other strategic corridors like Netzarim has been described by analysts as part of a long-term strategy to fragment Gaza and limit Hamas’s ability to regroup.

Meanwhile, in northern Gaza—including Beit Hanoun—residents have also begun evacuating as the IDF extends its operations there. These actions indicate that Israeli forces are not limiting their campaign to the south but are working toward consolidating control across multiple fronts.

As the conflict stretches on, both sides appear to be pursuing conflicting goals: Israel seeks to weaken Hamas militarily and secure the hostages, while Hamas demands a full withdrawal and an end to what it calls a brutal and illegal occupation. Between these objectives lie the lives of over two million Palestinians trapped in an increasingly narrow strip of land, many of whom have already been displaced multiple times over the course of the war.

Ongoing negotiations and looming uncertainty

Back in Cairo, Egyptian mediators are expected to continue their efforts to bridge the gap between the two sides. A key challenge lies in ensuring any agreement can hold longer than past ceasefires and address the growing humanitarian needs on the ground.

As of now, the focus remains on whether the Hamas delegation and Egyptian officials can establish a path forward before the situation becomes even more dire. The Hamas official quoted earlier emphasized that discussions with mediators are “ongoing,” but expressed frustration with what he characterized as continued Israeli aggression.

“Israel talks of negotiations,” the official said, “but its actions speak otherwise.”

With more strikes expected and evacuation orders still in place, the prospects for a stable ceasefire remain uncertain. Yet for many watching from outside, the announcement that Israel completes Morag axis takeover may mark a turning point—either toward broader confrontation or a final push for peace.