The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday that they have achieved full “operational control” of the entire Gaza-Egypt border, uncovering 20 tunnels leading into the Egyptian Sinai. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The 14-kilometer stretch of land along the border, known as the Philadelphi corridor, was originally established as a buffer zone to prevent weapons smuggling after Israel disengaged from Gaza in 2006. However, in 2007, Hamas violently took control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority, complicating security dynamics in the region.
The Israel Defense Forces reported that its troops are physically present in most parts of the corridor, with the exception of a section near the Mediterranean coast, which is monitored using surveillance and firepower. Alongside the discovery of cross-border tunnels, the IDF also located another 82 shafts within the corridor area that did not cross the border; these are slated for destruction.
Additionally, the Israel Defense Forces found dozens of rocket launchers placed by Hamas along the politically sensitive border. This area is technically a demilitarized zone under the Camp David Accords, signed in 1978.
On May 7, Israel took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and most of the Gaza-Egypt border. This move came in the wake of intense violence, including Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 252 Israelis and foreigners. Of the 125 remaining hostages, 39 are believed to be dead.
The IDF’s increased control and the discovery of tunnels and rocket launchers underscore the ongoing challenges and complexities of the Israel-Gaza conflict, highlighting the persistent security threats and the volatile nature of the region.