"We have now gained operational control over the Philadelphi Route," said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the IDF, referring to the Israeli code name for the border area. According to Hagari, the route serves as a "lifeline" for Hamas to smuggle weapons and carry out attacks on Israelis.
The IDF spokesman also reported that dozens of rockets have been discovered near the Egyptian border and that Hamas had previously used the area to fire at Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities. The IDF had also uncovered around 20 tunnels constructed by Hamas under the southern Gazan city of Rafah as part of the militant group's "human shield strategy," he added.
"We have eliminated about 300 terrorists in Rafah so far," Hagari stated, noting that three IDF soldiers were killed.
The Philadelphi corridor, a narrow strip about 100 meters wide and 14 kilometers long, is part of a demilitarized zone along the Israel-Egypt border. Under a peace accord, both countries are allowed only limited troop presence in the area. Smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza are known to run beneath this corridor.
But the state-owned Al-Qahera News denied the existence of such tunnels, quoting a "high-level Egyptian source." The source remarked: "Israel is using these allegations to justify continuing the operation on the Palestinian city of Rafah and prolonging the war for political purposes."
Israel expects 7 MORE MONTHS of "fighting"
Hagari's report comes as international pressure mounts on Israel to halt its ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, now approaching its eighth month. Tel Aviv is facing calls to cease operations in the densely populated Palestinian enclave, particularly in Rafah – which has been overwhelmed with refugees fleeing northern Gaza as per IDF evacuation orders. (Related: Gaza children now suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition while Israel denies access for aid convoys.)
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While the IDF asserts that it only uses high-precision weapons and thoroughly vets its targets, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that the deaths of at least 45 civilians on May 26 were “a tragic mistake.” The army stated that shrapnel from a strike on senior Hamas commanders in Rafah ignited a nearby fuel tank, causing a large fire at a refugee camp. The incident drew sharp condemnation from European countries, including France and Britain. The U.S., however, indicated that the tragedy would not lead to a change in its policy towards Israel.
Israel declared war on Hamas following a surprise raid by the militant group into southern Israeli cities on Oct. 7, dubbed the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the taking of over 200 hostages. Since then, over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israeli operations in Gaza, according to local authorities.
Despite international calls for restraint due to recent civilian deaths, Israel has deepened its offensive in southern Gaza. The move could strain relations with Cairo, which has protested Tel Aviv's advance towards its border, including the capture of the Rafah crossing.
Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi indicated that the war with Hamas could last through the end of the year, stating, "We are expecting another seven months of fighting." This forecast underscores the protracted nature of the conflict, which has already lasted eight months and resulted in significant casualties and international scrutiny.
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