The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it has taken control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic buffer zone along the Gaza Strip’s border with Egypt, effectively sealing off the Palestinian territory’s entire land border. This move comes amid ongoing raids in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite a directive from the International Court of Justice to cease military actions there.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
The control over the Philadelphi Corridor is described by the Israeli military as crucial for security, claiming it has been a significant route for Hamas to smuggle weapons. Despite this strategic win, the operations in Rafah continue to draw severe international criticism. The World Court has specifically challenged Israel’s measures to ensure the safety of Rafah’s evacuees, questioning the provision of essential services like food, water, and medical care.
On the ground, the situation remains dire. Palestinian health officials have reported numerous civilian casualties due to the ongoing Israeli bombardment. The conflict has severely affected Rafah’s population, with many residents forced to flee their homes. The Israeli National Security Adviser indicated that the fighting in Gaza, aimed at dismantling Hamas’ capabilities, is expected to continue throughout 2024.