Israel has expressed its intention to gain control over the entire border area between Gaza and Egypt, indicating that its ongoing war on Gaza is far from over.
During a weekly news conference on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the Philadelphi Corridor “must be in our hands” and closed off to ensure the desired security outcome for Tel Aviv.
Israel’s relentless assault on the besieged enclave has resulted in the deaths of over 21,000 Palestinians. As the conflict enters its 13th week, it is important to understand the significance of the corridor, Israel’s motivations for seeking control, and the potential implications.
The Philadelphi Corridor, also known as the Philadelphi Route, is a 14km (8.7-mile) strip of land that encompasses the entire border area between Gaza and Egypt.
It was established as a buffer zone under the control and surveillance of the Israeli armed forces as part of the 1979 peace treaty with Egypt, which marked the end of Israel’s occupation of the Sinai Peninsula and the reopening of the Suez Canal.
The main objective of the corridor was to prevent the transfer of weapons and materials to Palestinians inside the Gaza Strip, which was under Israeli occupation, and to restrict movement between Palestinian territories and Egypt through stringent checks.
Post from www.aljazeera.com