Inherently, humans are territorial. Throughout the agricultural revolution, spanning over 15 thousand years, land has been a focal point of conflict among peoples.
The possession of land equates to power and wealth, leading to wars of invasion and occupation, culminating in the era of colonization during the industrial revolution.
Even in today’s age, with the technological revolution, territorial wars and invasions persist, ranging from Ukraine to Gaza.
Land control remains a fundamental consideration in strategic and security calculations.
Geographic depth, in a way, is deemed essential for both individual and national security.
The spatial dimension can be translated into time, ensuring early warning of impending danger. The farther away the geographical threat, the more time is available to prepare for its deterrence.
The geographical buffer may be artificial or, more precisely, prearranged between certain countries.
It can serve as an alternative solution to military confrontation, particularly when the interests of these nations intersect.
In the Great Game between Russia and Britain in Central Asia, what is now known as Afghanistan was established.
This occurred after the English Lord Mortimer Durand drew a 2,670-kilometer line that did not define the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Consequently, Afghanistan can be seen as playing the role of a buffer state during that time.
Israel grapples with a geographical dilemma, lacking geographic depth in terms of its length and width.
For instance, Israel’s width in its narrowest region does not exceed 15 kilometers, situated between the West Bank and the sea.
From a purely security standpoint, this distance means that a single Katyusha rocket has the potential to disrupt life in Tel Aviv.
Israel is currently engaged in a campaign of eradication in Gaza, occasionally alluding to the establishment of buffer zones within the territory.
As for past experiences, Israel has experimented with buffer zones, notably through the use of smart fences, but these attempts have proven unsuccessful.
The limited size of the Gaza Strip (365 square kilometers) does not allow for the creation of buffer zones within it, particularly given its high population density.
Israel cannot maintain control within the buffer zones in the presence of fighters from Hamas and other organizations.
Therefore, the situation necessitates the complete elimination of all organizations in the sector. So far, the factor of time is working against Israeli forces.
If all organizations are eliminated, who will govern Gaza? Who will volunteer for such a task? Can the Security Council issue a resolution to manage the sector, considering the possibility of a Chinese or Russian veto?
