Gaza Envelope

The Gaza Envelope (Hebrew: עוטף עזה, Otef Aza) is a modern administrative and security term that has become the common designation for the area in southern Israel immediately abutting its border with the Gaza Strip and its barrier, forming part of the broader, historic Western Negev (Hebrew: הַנֶּגֶב הַמַּעֲרָבִי, HaNegev HaMa'aravi) region. Technically, the term specifies towns, kibbutzim, and moshavim situated within seven kilometres (4+1⁄2 miles) of the border, defining the core zone targeted by rocket and mortar attacks launched from Gaza. The region has long been the target of cross-border violence, culminating in a massive, coordinated invasion by Hamas and allied militants during the 2023 October 7 attacks. The area is known for the Anemone coronaria flowering during spring, which is celebrated in the Darom Adom festival. Most of the population in the area resides in kibbutzim.