Fatshimetrie
The conflict that has been raging in the Middle East for eight months has taken a decisive turn with the Israeli army’s capture of the strategic axis along the Gaza-Egypt border. This advance aims to cut the smuggling tunnels used by the Hamas militant group, as part of a war that seems to have no end.
Israel’s takeover of the Philadelphia Corridor could complicate relations with Egypt, which has criticized Israel’s advance towards its border. Israel says the corridor is riddled with tunnels that have carried weapons and other goods for Hamas, despite a years-long blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt.
In addition, Israel is intensifying its incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of people have sought refuge from the fighting. The violence that has intensified in recent days has already caused the deaths of several Palestinians. The army has deployed a fifth brigade, several thousand soldiers strong, to support the troops already present in the city.
Egypt considers that any reinforcement of troops in this strategic border area would constitute a violation of the peace agreement concluded between the two countries in 1979. The country has already expressed its displeasure about Israel’s takeover of the Rafah border crossing, the only crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
According to the spokesman for the Israeli armed forces, the Philadelphia corridor served as a “breathing line” for Hamas, which regularly smuggled weapons into the Gaza Strip. Some 20 tunnels, some unknown to Israel, were discovered, as well as 82 access points to these tunnels. However, it is unclear whether the tunnels were currently in operation.
This takeover is part of a larger demilitarized zone that runs along the entire border between Israel and Egypt. Under the peace agreement, each side is allowed to deploy only a small number of troops or border guards in the area, but this number can be changed by mutual agreement. At the time of the agreement, Israeli troops controlled Gaza, before withdrawing in 2005.
While military operations continue, the situation remains tense. Israel’s capture of the Philadelphia Corridor is a further step in the Rafah operation, aimed at putting pressure on Hamas in the city.
The current conflict is part of a broader pattern of violence that shows no sign of ending. What does the future hold for Gaza and what role will Israel play in it? An Israeli national security adviser’s statement that the war could last until the end of the year raises new questions about a crisis that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and deeply isolated Israel on the international stage, even threatening to spark a regional conflict.
It is clear that the region is in a critical period. The intensification of fighting and Israel’s takeover of the border with Egypt portend a prolonged period of uncertainty and violence. As international actors seek solutions, it is crucial to keep a close eye on developments and work toward lasting peace in the region.