Israel extends control of Gaza’s entire land border
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced that they have taken control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategically important buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border. This move means Israel now controls Gaza’s entire land border. An IDF spokesman claims that about 20 tunnels used by Hamas for weapon smuggling have been discovered within the zone.
However, Egyptian sources have denied this claim, suggesting Israel is attempting to justify its military operations in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. Tensions with Egypt have increased following this announcement.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, described the corridor as a crucial supply line for Hamas, used to smuggle weapons into Gaza. He added that IDF troops are working to investigate and neutralise the tunnels found in the area.
Despite the IDF’s claims, Egyptian television and high-level sources have refuted the existence of cross-border tunnels, asserting that any such smuggling routes have been destroyed by Egypt.
The Philadelphi Corridor is a narrow buffer zone running along the 13 km (8-mile) border between Gaza and Egypt. Gaza’s only other land border is with Israel.
Israel maintains that taking control of Rafah is essential for achieving victory in the ongoing conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 252 hostages.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 36,170 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict started.