Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi stated today, Wednesday, that "the state of Israel now controls 75 percent of the Philadelphi corridor along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt." The Philadelphi corridor is considered a "buffer zone" and is subject to the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. However, after two weeks of the Israeli military operation in the city of Rafah along the Egyptian border, the Israeli army gained control over part of the corridor, raising questions about the reasons and implications of this step.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informed U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during the latter's visit to Tel Aviv of Israel's intention to expand its ground assault in Rafah, southern Gaza, despite warnings against doing so, including concerns over exacerbating the humanitarian tragedy and increasing tensions with Egypt. In this context, a source from Egypt stated that Egypt's respect for its international commitments and treaties does not prevent it from utilizing all available scenarios to maintain its national security and the historical rights of the Palestinian people.
In recent days, Israeli forces have advanced into the depths of Rafah, seizing more than half of the Philadelphi corridor, also referred to as "Salah al-Din Road," according to a report from Yedioth Ahronoth on Tuesday.
A Preparatory Step for Declaring Victory
Security and military expert Dr. Raed Moussa, in an interview with "Erm News," noted that "once the Israeli army achieves complete control over the Philadelphi corridor and establishes the buffer zone, it will be able to declare victory over Hamas during this war." According to his perspective.
Moussa stated, "This is clearly evident through the new reality the Israeli army seeks to establish within the Gaza Strip and deep within the governorates, especially the buffer zone extending north of the Strip, in addition to the Netzarim corridor, which is approximately 9 kilometers long in the center of the Strip, and finally the Philadelphi corridor at the southernmost part of the Strip."
He continued, these corridors serve as Israeli military bases equipped with all types of equipment, along with the necessary intelligence to facilitate movements deeper into the territory.
The military expert emphasized that "the buffer zone in the Philadelphi corridor aims primarily to end Hamas's control over the borders and crossings, in addition to halting any smuggling operations across the Egyptian border, especially following the Israeli army's announcement of discovering 50 tunnels extending from southern Rafah into the depths of Egyptian territory."
