TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) - Israel has announced the deployment of troops to a newly established security corridor across southern Gaza, aiming to exert pressure on the Hamas militant group. The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled this initiative on Wednesday, highlighting the Morag Corridor's role in isolating the southern city of Rafah, which Israeli authorities have ordered evacuated.
On Saturday, the Israeli military confirmed the deployment of troops from the 36th Division within this corridor. However, specific details regarding the number of troops or the exact location of the corridor remain unclear. The corridor is named after Morag, a former Jewish settlement situated between Rafah and Khan Younis, with Netanyahu suggesting it would traverse between these urban centers.
Israeli media has released maps indicating that the Morag Corridor spans the width of the narrow Gaza Strip, extending from east to west. Netanyahu has likened it to a second Philadelphi corridor, referring to the Israeli-controlled area at the Gaza-Egypt border established last May. In addition to the Morag Corridor, Israel has reasserted its control over the Netzarim corridor, which separates the northern third of Gaza, including Gaza City, from the rest of the territory. Both the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors run from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean Sea.
Netanyahu stated, "We are cutting up the strip, and we are increasing the pressure step by step, so that they will give us our hostages." This announcement follows a confirmation from a White House official about Netanyahu's upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump, marking their second gathering at the White House since Trump's inauguration in January.
Israel's recent military actions included a significant bombardment that violated a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, as the country sought to pressure Hamas into accepting revised terms for a truce established in January. The White House has supported Israel's military actions in this context. Additionally, Netanyahu's defense minister has indicated plans for Israel to seize large areas of Gaza and integrate them into existing security zones.
Israel remains resolute in escalating military operations against Hamas until the militant organization returns the hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack that initially triggered the conflict. Furthermore, last month, Israel halted all supplies of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid to Gaza, intensifying the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The situation in Gaza continues to be fluid, with Israel's military actions prompting significant international scrutiny and calls for humanitarian assistance to the affected populations. The Israeli government's strategy appears to hinge on both military pressure and diplomatic maneuvers, as they seek to strengthen their control over the region amidst the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
