The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue their operations along the Gaza-Egypt border, specifically targeting the “Philadelphi Corridor,” a critical area where Hamas has smuggled advanced weapons and ammunition from Egypt into Gaza.
Over the past several weeks, the IDF has discovered 184 tunnels in the area, 10 of which connect directly between Egyptian territory and Gaza.
The IDF has already destroyed dozens of these tunnels and continues to find and demolish new ones.
Estimates suggest there are at least 250 tunnels in the region.
Some of these tunnels are large enough to accommodate commercial vehicles, allowing for the transport of goods between Gaza and Egypt.
The IDF has officially committed to destroying all tunnels in the Philadelphi Corridor.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that IDF forces will maintain a physical presence in the corridor and will not withdraw, a stance that has sparked tension between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas demands the IDF’s withdrawal as part of negotiations to secure the release of Israeli hostages and establish a ceasefire.
An Israeli security delegation is currently in Cairo, negotiating with Egyptian intelligence on the matter.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is visiting Israel, will also discuss the issue with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Netanyahu remains firm on the IDF’s continued presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, despite differing opinions within the Israeli security establishment, which has suggested a temporary withdrawal.
Senior political figures in Jerusalem indicate that Netanyahu views the IDF’s control of the corridor as a strategic and political necessity, with the prime minister holding sole authority on the matter.
Netanyahu is determined to avoid setting a precedent that could be exploited by Hamas in the future.
His position is that the IDF must control all crossings into Gaza to prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons and to ensure that its military capabilities are not rebuilt.
