Philadelphi Corridor | 13 Sep 2024

Source: TG

The Israeli Prime Minister intends to control the Philadelphi corridor, including the Rafah crossing after its occupation in the Israel-Hamas war.

The demand threatens to stall negotiations for a ceasefire with Hamas.
- Both Egypt and Hamas reject Israeli military presence on the Philadelphi corridor.
Philadelphi Corridor:
- It is a 14 kilometres long strip of land that represents the entirety of the border area between Gaza and Egypt.
- It includes the Rafah crossing and runs from the Mediterranean Sea to the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel.
- Under the Camp David peace treaty 1979, a limited number of Egyptian troops were allowed, but no heavy armour was permitted.
- After the 2005 Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the corridor was designated a demilitarised border zone.
  - Since 2005, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority were responsible for managing the corridor.
- It was the only link for Gaza with the outside world not controlled by Israel.
- Hamas gained control of Gaza in 2007, which led to increased tension and ongoing cross-border smuggling activities.