Israel’s challenges in long-term control of Philadelphi corridor
As Philadelphi looms, those sent to patrol it will need to learn lessons from what has worked and not worked in the past
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out his plans to keep control of the Philadelphi corridor along the Egyptian border. He says that the corridor is important to make sure that Hamas cannot return to becoming a threat to Israel. He also made bold claims about how Israel wouldn’t leave the area for many years to come. “Anyone who wants us to leave the Philadelphi Corridor undermines the war’s objectives. Did our soldiers fall in vain, only for us to let Hamas rebuild,” he asked.
The Philadelphi corridor has always been important for Hamas. Hamas has demanded that Israel leave it for a reason. Hamas wants to return to control the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. This crossing is key to the overland route supplying Gaza in the past. Hamas wants control of the border because through the border it controls Gaza. Civilians in Gaza have to rely on Hamas through this border. The UN and international organizations have often partnered with Hamas in various ways because Hamas controls the border. For instance, some NGOs have allowed Hamas to place gunmen on aid trucks. This is how Hamas controls Gaza.
The challenge for Israel, now that the political leadership has decided that the Philadelphi corridor is essential for security, is figuring out how to secure it. Israel has been shifting its goals in this war since October 7. After the Hamas genocidal attack, Israel’s political leadership appeared to claim that “there won’t be Hamas in Gaza” after the war. However, it quickly became clear that the IDF was not being used to replace Hamas with another entity. Instead Israel was conducting raids into areas of Gaza and then withdrawing.
See Also:
Gaza hostage deal includes IDF withdrawal from Philadelphi – White House says
Netanyahu blasts ‘shameful’ UK freeze of arms sales earmarked for Gaza
Israel to classify West Bank as ‘combat zone’ amid dramatic escalation
IDF settles score with terrorist who drank Coke while murdering family
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