Israeli Military Takes 'Tactical Control' Over Gaza Strip's Philadelphi Corridor, Straining Ties with Egypt

After recent developments in the region, the Israeli military announced on Wednesday, May 29, its strategic move to take "tactical control" over the Philadelphi Corridor, a highly sensitive area in the Gaza Strip that borders Egypt. The decision is expected to have significant implications for Israel's relationship with Cairo.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, emphasized the crucial role of the Philadelphi Corridor for Hamas, referring to it as "Hamas's oxygen tube." He highlighted the group's use of the area for "smuggling munitions into Gazan territory on a regular basis." Additionally, he revealed that Hamas had constructed tunnels near the Egyptian border, taking advantage of the proximity to deter Israeli strikes.

Preventing Hamas Rearmament

Israeli officials have underscored the importance of seizing the approximately nine-mile-long strip to prevent Hamas from rearming through cross-border smuggling. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed the necessity of having the area under Israeli control, describing it as a crucial measure to prevent Hamas from obtaining weapons.

Identification of Tunnels

An Israeli military official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that at least 20 tunnels running from Gaza into Egypt had been identified, with some of them being recently discovered. The revelation sheds light on the extent of Hamas's underground activities and the potential security threat posed by these tunnels.

Although the military's initial announcement raised concerns about tunnels crossing into Egypt, Admiral Hagari clarified that further evaluations would be conducted to confirm this. He stated, "I can't say now that all of these tunnels cross into Egypt. We'll inspect that, pass along the intelligence to Egypt, and investigate each of those shafts located in proximity to the border with Egypt."