The Israel Defense Forces have removed the closed-military-zone designation from all communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip, clearing residents to re-enter the area for the first time since the Hamas assault on 7 October 2023. The order, signed by the commander of the IDF’s Gaza Division and announced on 2 July 2025, eliminates security restrictions that had barred civilian access to the so-called Gaza Envelope for nearly nine months. Military officials said a security assessment found no current operational need to keep the 12 border towns under closure, although some local representatives cautioned that conditions remain fragile. The easing marks the most significant rollback of wartime measures around Gaza since Israel launched its ground and air campaign last year.