Israel says seized control of key area of Gaza’s border with Egypt awash in smuggling tunnels
- Capture of Philadelphi Corridor gives Israel control over area it says has Hamas tunnels
- Israeli military bolsters forces and deepens incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah
Israel’s military said it seized control of a strategic corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt to cut off smuggling tunnels as it tries to destroy the militant Hamas group in a war now in its eighth month.
The capture of the Philadelphi Corridor could complicate Israel’s relations with Egypt, which has complained about Israel’s advance toward its border.
Israel says the corridor is awash in tunnels that have funnelled weapons and other goods for Hamas – despite a years-long blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt.
Israel also deepened its incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands have been seeking shelter from fighting, and where intensifying violence in recent days has killed dozens of Palestinians.
The military said that a fifth brigade – up to several thousand soldiers – joined troops operating in the city on Tuesday.
Egypt says any increase in troops in the strategic border area would violate the countries’ 1979 peace accord. It already has complained about Israel taking over the Rafah border crossing, the only crossing between Gaza and Egypt.