Thu Mar 20 10:55:43 UTC 2025: ## Israel Closes Gaza’s Main Highway Amid Renewed Ground Operation
**GAZA CITY** – The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have closed Salaheddin Road, the main north-south artery in the Gaza Strip, citing safety concerns. The closure comes a day after Israel announced the resumption of ground operations in the territory, expanding a security zone in the central and southern Gaza Strip.
IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the closure is for safety reasons, directing traffic to the coastal Al-Rashid road for travel between the north and south. However, the IDF did not clarify whether travel from south to north is also restricted.
The closure follows the deployment of Israeli tanks at Netzarim Junction on Salaheddin Road, a strategic point where the highway intersects with a major Israeli supply route. This deployment occurred Wednesday evening, according to a Hamas-run interior ministry official, after the withdrawal of American private security contractors who had been present since February, following a previous Israeli military pullback under the terms of a January 19 ceasefire.
The current military actions are a resumption of hostilities after weeks of stalemate following the expiration of the first phase of that ceasefire. Negotiations for a second phase collapsed due to disagreements over the return of Israeli hostages. Israel resumed its air campaign early Tuesday, followed by the renewed ground operation announced Wednesday, prompting international condemnation. The closure of Salaheddin Road further escalates tensions in the region.
First Piper 