Israeli media have reported Tel Aviv’s request to Cairo for permission to deploy Israeli forces at the Rafah border crossing. This move is intended to thwart any attempts to smuggle Israeli prisoners or facilitate the escape of Hamas leaders into Sinai. According to the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Israel is contemplating managing the “Philadelphia Corridor” – Salah al-Din Corridor – along the Egyptian border with the Gaza Strip. Addressing the Philadelphia Corridor is particularly complex.
The Hebrew newspaper explained that, based on assessments, the war is expected to enter a new phase following the current intensive operations in Khan Yunis, Shuja’iyya neighborhood, and Jabalia Camp, and potentially in the refugee camps in central Gaza Strip. The activities in the Palestinian city of Rafah, located on Egypt’s border at the southern end of the Gaza Strip, will differ, focusing on fewer trees and more on targeted raids, following the current operations in Khan Yunis.
The report further indicated that the transition to the next phase would involve challenging and prolonged fighting, even if its nature differs from the ground maneuvers conducted so far. It highlighted that the internet is cut off in Gaza; eight Israeli fighters were seriously injured in Shuja’iyya, adding to the complexity of dealing with the Philadelphia Corridor. Even after Israel’s desire to fully disengage from responsibility for what happens in the Gaza Strip, which means that all goods must continue to arrive via Egypt – even if some pass through the Kerem Shalom crossing in Israeli territory.
The newspaper added that this issue should reach a creative political solution in the Israeli-American-Egyptian triangle. Alongside solving the smuggling tunnels problem, both parties need to find an innovative solution for supervising the Rafah crossing, the entry of goods, and the Israeli presence at the crossing.
The paper also mentioned the ongoing discussion about the “security zone” or the security perimeter that should be an essential part of the day after the settlement in the Gaza Strip. This area, located about one kilometer from the Gaza Strip borders and not under Israeli control, is essential for protecting the southern residents. Therefore, there should be a complete Israeli presence in this area adjacent to Egypt’s border.
