Tel Aviv/Gaza – Live Updates — In an unprecedented move during ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Israel has submitted preliminary maps outlining a phased military withdrawal from parts of southern Gaza and dropped plans to secure Morag Corridor, signalling a potential turning point in months of violence.
Israeli officials confirmed late Tuesday that maps had been given to mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the UN at Cairo – amid mounting international pressure and domestic debate on maintaining military control in densely populated areas. This move comes amid growing international scrutiny as well as domestic debate.
Morag Corridor — an area stretching from former Israeli settlement Morag to Gaza-Egypt border — represents an important strategic shift. While originally intended as a buffer zone to prevent arms smuggling and rocket attacks, its implementation had quickly turned into a source of intense fighting and civilian displacement.
1.30 AM – Israeli Government Announces Map Submission mes Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed during a morning briefing in Tel Aviv the submission of withdrawal maps as “the time has come for transition from operations to stabilization”.
“Israelians remain our top priority, yet diplomatic solutions must also be sought,” Gallant stated. The proposed maps offer a flexible security-based framework that could support an extended ceasefire.
Maps purportedly detailing Israeli Defense Force (IDF) deployment plans include timelines for their redeployment from urban zones in Khan Younis and southern Gaza to new surveillance measures and coordination points that monitor cross-border activity.
Mediators Welcome Morag Corridor Abandonment A senior Egyptian official involved in the talks confirmed to Al-Qahira News that Israel’s decision to abandon plans for Morag Corridor removed an obstacle in negotiations.
“Hamas and regional mediators had previously found agreement difficult over this matter,” according to an official from Hamas, who noted its withdrawal would open the way for practical agreements regarding humanitarian access and reconstruction projects.
Hamas, while not directly commenting on these maps, has repeatedly demanded an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as a condition for long-term ceasefire compliance.
11:20 AM – International Reaction and Diplomatic Push United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement welcoming Israel’s latest gesture and encouraging all sides to seize this opportunity to end suffering and restore hope.
The Biden administration also welcomed this development, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizing it as an important step toward de-escalating tensions and rebuilding trust between nations.
European Union leaders shared this sentiment and advocated for increased international oversight to ensure transparency during the withdrawal process.
Conditions and Fragility Remain
Despite rising optimism, several analysts cautioned that conditions and fragility remain. Israeli opposition figures have criticized their government for what they consider to be a hastily reached compromise; far-right coalition members have demanded clearer guarantees regarding national security.
Humanitarian organizations reporting from Gaza report mixed reactions. Civilians appear hopeful but wary in light of recent destruction and broken truces.
What Comes Next
The next round of ceasefire talks is scheduled to begin later this week in Doha, with key issues still up for discussion such as prisoner exchange, border reopenings, and the deployment of international monitors still outstanding.
As maps and borders are scrutinized and lines revised, all eyes remain focused on whether this latest step marks an actual advancement towards peace – or just another setback in an ongoing cycle of violence.