Israel’s military announced on Wednesday that it has taken control of a vital corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border in an effort to cut off smuggling tunnels used by the militant Hamas group. This move is part of the ongoing conflict that has been going on for eight months.
The capture of the Philadelphi Corridor could impact Israel’s relationship with Egypt, which has raised concerns about Israel’s advancement towards its border. Israel claims that the corridor is filled with tunnels that have been used to smuggle weapons and goods for Hamas, despite the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt for years.
Furthermore, Israel has expanded its presence in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where many have sought refuge from the violence. The military deployed a fifth brigade comprising several thousand soldiers to aid in the operation in the city.
Egypt has expressed opposition to any increase in troops in the border area, citing violations of the peace accord signed in 1979 between the two countries. The takeover of the Rafah border crossing by Israel has also been a point of contention between the two nations.
Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, stated, “The Philadelphi Corridor served as the oxygen line of Hamas through which Hamas carried out weapons smuggling into Gaza on a regular basis.”
Israel also notified Egypt of the takeover, revealing the discovery of 20 tunnels and 82 access points. It is unclear whether these tunnels are currently in use.
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The corridor falls within a larger demilitarized zone along the Israel-Egypt border. Both countries are allowed a limited number of troops in the zone as per the peace accord. Egypt has denied any communication regarding the tunnels on the border and has expressed concerns about the impact of the Israeli offensive on the Palestinian population.
The narrow corridor, which stretches along the Gaza-Egypt border, has been under Hamas control since 2007. Smuggling tunnels were initially used to bypass the blockade imposed on Gaza by Israel and Egypt. However, over the years, Egypt has cracked down on these tunnels, leading to a decrease in their usage.
Israel also took control of Tel al-Sultan, a neighborhood in Rafah, as part of the operation. Despite this, the military described the incursion as a limited operation.
The White House’s national security spokesman, John Kirby, stated that the seizure of the Philadelphi Corridor aligns with the limited ground operation briefed to President Joe Biden’s team.
The conflict has resulted in significant displacement and casualties, with a grim outlook for its resolution. Israel aims to dismantle Hamas and secure ongoing control of Gaza, even after the war ends.
The situation in Rafah remains tense, with ongoing battles and a humanitarian crisis. The global community has called for a resolution to the conflict to prevent further devastation and loss of life.