Israel was attempting to create a buffer zone between Gaza and Israel by demolishing part of a Palestinian neighborhood. However, around 20 Israeli soldiers were killed in an explosion during the demolition. The explosion occurred after Gazan militants fired towards an Israeli tank guarding a unit that was setting explosives inside Palestinian buildings. The intention was to create a security zone, making it harder for militants to repeat a raid like that of Oct. 7. The military’s goal is to create conditions that will persuade Israeli evacuees that it is safe to return home. The idea of a buffer zone has gained momentum in Israeli discourse, but the U.S. administration opposes it. However, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken expressed openness to a temporary buffer zone to enable Israelis who had fled homes along the Gaza border to return. For more information, you can visit www.nytimes.com.
