Israeli Buffer Zone in Gaza Becomes Deadly Flashpoint as Rafah Operations Intensify

While the Israeli military ramps up operations in Rafah, a new buffer zone along Gaza’s northern border is turning into a dangerous flashpoint. Two soldiers, Master Sgt. Asaf Kafri and tracker Galeb Nassasra, lost their lives in separate attacks this week, with eight others injured. The army is tightening safety rules and urging residents to evacuate Beit Hanoun, but the outposts face serious risks. Here’s what’s happening and why it’s a growing concern.

Two Soldiers Killed in a Week

The buffer zone, a 700 to 800 meter strip on Gaza’s side of the border, has seen two deadly incidents in just days. On Thursday, reservist Asaf Kafri, a tank driver from Brigade 14, was killed by sniper fire at Outpost 39 near Beit Hanoun. Five days earlier, tracker Galeb Nassasra died in a similar attack at Outpost 40, close to Kibbutz Nir Am. Eight soldiers were hurt across these events, five with serious injuries, including an officer from the Yahalom unit, a reservist from Battalion 79, and another from Battalion 8239.

The earlier attack involved a roadside bomb and anti tank fire. The attackers likely escaped through a tunnel to Beit Hanoun, and the IDF still hasn’t caught them. Yesterday, the military told Beit Hanoun residents to leave their homes immediately, citing terrorist and sniper activities against troops after loud explosions shook the area. This comes after intense IDF operations in Beit Hanoun and Jabalia three months ago, before a recent ceasefire.

Vulnerable Outposts Under Threat

The buffer zone hosts about 15 forward bases, mostly staffed by reservists, designed to protect nearby Israeli communities from another attack like another October 7th. These outposts are meant to absorb ground assaults by Hamas or Islamic Jihad, giving residents in the Gaza envelope a sense of safety. But they’re proving risky. Equipped with tanks, infantry, new observation posts, and frequent drone patrols, the bases still struggle against enemy tactics.

The IDF has pinpointed several problems:

Despite skilled soldiers and advanced tech, Hamas has exploited these gaps, using tunnels for surprise attacks, as seen at Outpost 40.

New Safety Measures in Place

After the attacks, the IDF updated its rules. Troops are now instructed to avoid exposure to Gazan buildings to reduce sniper risks. Reservists, who handle most of these static missions, are frequently reminded to stay sharp, as their ongoing security role leaves little margin for mistakes. The army is also looking into how attackers escaped, suspecting tunnels remain a weak point despite earlier operations.

Southern Command wants to make the buffer zone wider, believing a larger barrier could better protect Israel. But the outposts’ design, built to take hits rather than stop infiltration, limits their strength. The IDF knows Hamas and Islamic Jihad can still monitor and target these bases, even with heavy firepower and surveillance in place.

Rafah Raids and a Stretched Military

While the buffer zone faces these challenges, the IDF is pouring resources into Rafah, targeting Hamas’s efforts to regroup. This split focus shows how stretched the military is, with reservists juggling multiple fronts. The buffer zone is crucial for reassuring Gaza envelope residents, but the recent deaths and injuries highlight the high cost. Hamas’s ability to strike, even after major IDF campaigns, shows that they may be down, but they are definitely not out, and how hard it is to secure a volatile area, especially when the other sides uses guerilla warfare .

Can these fixed bases can truly prevent another large attack? Or are they putting soldiers in harm’s way without enough gain?

Ynet contributed to this article.