Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reported the destruction of approximately 50 Hamas tunnels over the past month in the Philadelphi corridor, a critical buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border. This area, which spans 14 kilometers, was established in 2006 to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza after Israel’s withdrawal from the territory.
The announcement comes as Israeli and Arab leaders prepare to resume ceasefire negotiations in Qatar. The IDF’s operations are part of a broader effort to secure the Philadelphi corridor and prevent Hamas from rearming and facilitating the escape of its leaders into Egyptian Sinai.
The tunnels targeted in this operation are located within the Philadelphi corridor and were reportedly used for smuggling activities. The IDF did not confirm whether any of the destroyed tunnels extended into the Egyptian Sinai. However, on August 4, Israeli forces targeted a particularly large smuggling tunnel capable of accommodating vehicles, which was found to be leading into Egypt.
The recent escalation of violence has resulted in significant casualties. On October 7, Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border led to the deaths of at least 1,200 people, with 252 Israelis and foreigners taken hostage. Currently, 39 of the remaining 111 hostages have been declared deceased. Hamas also holds two Israeli civilians captured in 2014 and 2015, and the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014.
Sources By Agencies
