ALBAWABA- The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that it seized control of the Philadelphia corridor, a strategic passage along Gaza’s border with Egypt, near the city of Rafah. This corridor is critical due to its proximity to recent intense fighting in the area.
The capture of the Philadelphi corridor marks a significant escalation in Israel’s military operations in southern Gaza. This move has raised concerns as calls for restraint have increased in light of recent civilian casualties.
The Philadelphia corridor, a narrow strip approximately 100 meters wide and 14 kilometers long, runs along the Gaza-Egypt border, including the Rafah crossing, the sole entry point between Gaza and Egypt.
This area is part of a larger demilitarized zone established under a peace accord, which limits the number of troops or border guards each side can deploy. Historically, this corridor has been a hotspot for smuggling tunnels allegedly used by Hamas and Egyptian agents.
The Israeli advance could strain relations with Egypt, which has already expressed concerns over Israel's proximity to its border following the capture of the Rafah crossing.
In a broader context, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, now in its eighth month, has seen tens of thousands of casualties and has isolated Israel on the global stage.
National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi stated that the conflict is likely to continue until the end of the year.
The ongoing fighting in Rafah has been particularly deadly, claiming the lives of dozens of displaced Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers, the latter reportedly killed by a blast inside a building.
