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 development means that Israel now controls Gaza’s entire land border.
According to IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, about 20 tunnels used by Hamas to smuggle weapons into Gaza were found within this zone. However, Egyptian TV sources denied these claims, accusing Israel of using them to justify its military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Rear Admiral Hagari emphasized the significance of the corridor, calling it a “lifeline” for Hamas, which has been using it to smuggle weapons into Gaza. While IDF troops are actively investigating and neutralizing these tunnels, Hagari noted uncertainty about whether all the tunnels extend into Egypt.
The Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow buffer zone along the 13km (8-mile) Gaza-Egypt border, has been a focal point due to its strategic importance. Egypt has previously claimed to have destroyed cross-border tunnels, dismissing the possibility of ongoing smuggling.
A high-level Egyptian source, quoted by Al-Qahera News, accused Israel of using these tunnel allegations to justify its continued operations in Rafah and to prolong the conflict for political reasons. This tension is exacerbated by recent incidents, including the death of an Egyptian soldier in the border area.
Since the conflict began following Hamas’s attack on October 7, which resulted in about 1,200 Israeli deaths and 252 hostages taken, the Gaza health ministry reports over 36,170 casualties. The relationship between Egypt and Israel has further strained, particularly since Israeli forces took control of the Rafah crossing point three weeks ago as part of their offensive against Hamas.
While Egypt supports the Palestinians and condemns Israel’s military actions in Gaza, it also maintains a blockade on its border with Gaza, similar to Israel’s, since Hamas took power in 2006. Despite these tensions, Egypt continues to mediate indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, aiming for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.