LONDON: Israel is planning to force Palestinians in Gaza into three security zones separated by four military-occupied areas if a ceasefire with Hamas is not reached in the coming days.

A map of the plan was leaked by diplomats and seen by the Sunday Times. It shows four Israeli military zones in the north, center and south of the Gaza Strip, with three civilian areas in between.

It is understood that civilians will be forbidden from traveling between each area without permission, while goods will undergo security screening.

Humanitarian distribution companies said the restrictions would separate Palestinians from their land and homes, and prevent them from moving throughout the enclave.

An Israeli military spokesman declined to confirm or deny the plan — entitled “Stage three: the complete takeover of Gaza” — when asked by the Sunday Times.

According to the plan, a military corridor will be constructed north of Khan Younis, modeled on the existing Netzarim Corridor south of Gaza City.

Sources said Israeli bulldozers will begin to empty land from the area ahead of construction. The corridor will separate the civilian sections north of Rafah and south of the Netzarim Corridor.

The Israeli military will also widen the buffer zone between Israel and Gaza, with the leaked map showing a huge perimeter around the entire enclave.

Creating the new army zones in the center of Gaza, as well as the expanded buffer zone, will take at least three weeks. It is part of the first stage of Israel’s long-term strategy to conquer Gaza.

The leaked map also shows about a dozen sites within the new civilian areas, believed to be the locations of new humanitarian distribution centers.

The launch of a new purported humanitarian model is part of a widely condemned plan by Israel to bypass the UN and charities, and use private companies to deliver aid.

Since March, Israel has imposed a total blockade on the entry of humanitarian goods into Gaza.