JERUSALEM. Israel’s military announced Wednesday it has seized control of the strategic Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt. This area, known for its smuggling tunnels, is a significant target in Israel’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the militant Hamas group, now in its eighth month of conflict.
The capture of the Philadelphi Corridor aims to cut off the supply of weapons and goods to Hamas. This move could strain Israel’s relationship with Egypt, which has expressed concerns over Israel’s advance towards its border. Despite a longstanding blockade by both countries, the corridor has remained a critical smuggling route for Hamas.
As part of the operation, Israel has also intensified its incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This city, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge, has seen escalating violence, resulting in dozens of Palestinian deaths. The Israeli military reported that a fifth brigade has joined the troops operating in Rafah, further escalating the conflict.
Egypt has raised alarms about Israel’s increasing military presence near its border, arguing that it violates the 1979 peace accord between the two nations. This peace treaty limits the number of troops each side can deploy in the demilitarized zone along the border. Israel’s recent activities, including taking control of the Rafah border crossing, have exacerbated tensions.
“The Philadelphi Corridor served as the oxygen line of Hamas through which Hamas carried out weapons smuggling into Gaza on a regular basis,” stated Israel’s military chief spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
An Israeli military official confirmed that Israel had informed Egypt about the takeover. The official reported the discovery of 20 tunnels and 82 access points, some previously unknown to Israeli forces. However, it remains unclear if these tunnels are currently active.
Egyptian state-run media, Al-Qahera News TV, reported no communications with Israel regarding the tunnel allegations. Egypt remains concerned about a potential influx of Palestinians across its border, a scenario it deems unacceptable.
The Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip about 100 meters wide, runs the length of Gaza’s border with Egypt and includes the Rafah crossing. Since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, the group has maintained free rein over the border area, using smuggling tunnels to bypass the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt.
Over the past decade, Egypt has intensified its crackdown on these tunnels due to its battle against Islamic militants in Sinai. The recent Israeli military actions aim to further disrupt these smuggling routes.
The White House has indicated that Israel’s seizure of the corridor aligns with its briefed strategy for Rafah, aimed at putting pressure on Hamas. However, the continued violence has raised international concerns.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported an apparent Israeli strike that killed two ambulance crew members in Tel al-Sultan. Earlier on Wednesday, Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, predicted that the war would continue through the end of the year, emphasizing Israel’s intent to dismantle Hamas’ capabilities.
The ongoing conflict has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, displaced much of its population, and triggered a humanitarian crisis. The United Nations reports that the fighting in Rafah has displaced 1 million people, most already displaced from other parts of Gaza.
Despite international pressure, including an order from the International Court of Justice to halt its Rafah offensive, Israel continues its operations, citing the need to eliminate Hamas as a threat. The war, initiated by a militant attack on southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides and escalated regional tensions.
As the conflict persists, the future of Gaza remains uncertain, with Israel asserting the need for indefinite security control over the territory post-war. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging restraint and humanitarian considerations amidst the ongoing hostilities.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
