Israel Takes Full Control of the Gaza-Egypt Border, Intensifies Raids in Rafah!
Israeli Control of Gaza-Egypt Border:
Israeli forces have secured a buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border, asserting control over Gaza’s entire land boundary, the Israeli military announced on Wednesday. This move coincides with continued deadly raids in Rafah, despite the International Court of Justice’s directive to cease attacks in the city, a refuge for half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
In a televised statement, chief military spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed Israeli forces now have “operational control” over the “Philadelphi Corridor,” a 14-kilometer stretch along Gaza’s only border with Egypt. Hagari emphasized that this corridor had been a vital smuggling route for Hamas, the armed group governing Gaza. While Hagari did not detail what “operational control” entails, an Israeli military official indicated that troops are present on the ground.
Continued Raids in Rafah:
Previously, Israel did not directly control the southern border with Egypt in Gaza. Israeli tanks advanced into Rafah on Wednesday, penetrating deeper into the city for the first time despite the UN court’s order to halt operations.
The World Court has demanded that Israel outline measures to protect evacuees from Rafah and ensure the provision of food, water, and medical supplies. The court also urged Hamas to release hostages taken from Israel on October 7 unconditionally.
Rafah residents reported Israeli tanks pushing into the Tel Al-Sultan area in the west and Yibna and Shaboura in the center before retreating to the buffer zone. Haitham al-Hams, the deputy director of ambulance and emergency services in Rafah, recounted distress calls from residents targeted by drones while moving to safer areas.
Palestinian health officials reported 19 civilian deaths due to Israeli airstrikes and shelling across Gaza. Israel accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields, a claim Hamas denies. Health Minister Majed Abu Raman called on the U.S. to pressure Israel to open the Rafah crossing for aid, warning of dire consequences for patients in Gaza lacking medical treatment.
Israel’s National Security Adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, suggested the conflict in Gaza could extend throughout 2024, asserting that the goal is to end Hamas rule and prevent future attacks. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned that Israel needs a post-war plan for Gaza to avoid chaos and a resurgence of Hamas.
The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, reiterated its opposition to a major ground offensive in Rafah on Tuesday while denying such an operation was currently underway. Gaza’s health ministry reported over 36,000 Palestinian deaths since Israel’s offensive began, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and led to over 250 hostages being taken.
Stalemate in Ceasefire Talks
Ceasefire and hostage release negotiations showed no progress on Wednesday. Hamas insists that talks are futile unless Israel ends its Rafah offensive. Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad, claimed to have successfully engaged Israeli forces in Rafah using anti-tank rockets and explosives.
The Israeli military reported the deaths of three Israeli soldiers and severe injuries to three others. Public broadcaster Kan Radio mentioned an explosive device detonated in a Rafah building. Palestinian health officials reported several injuries from Israeli fire and aid stores ablaze in eastern Rafah due to bombardments.
The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, noted that around a million Palestinians have fled Rafah following Israeli evacuation orders. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) evacuated its medical teams from a field hospital in the Al-Mawasi civilian evacuation zone due to ongoing bombings. During a rescue mission, an ambulance struck and killed two PRCS staff members, as reported by PRCS.
In other incidents, five Palestinians died in an airstrike on a Gaza City house, and three were killed in Khan Younis, including a former senior Hamas police officer. Israeli forces also shelled northern Gaza neighborhoods, moving deeper into Jabalia, where extensive residential damage was reported.
Malnutrition is becoming rampant in Gaza as aid deliveries dwindle. The U.N. has warned of an impending famine, noting a two-thirds drop in humanitarian aid since Israel’s recent escalation in Rafah.
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