Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials have indicated that Israel must take control of the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border to prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons into the Gaza Strip.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Israel has informed Egypt of its planned military operation, which would likely involve displacing Palestinian authorities from a key crossing point and replacing them with Israeli forces along a stretch of land from Gaza's southeastern corner towards the Mediterranean Sea.
This move is seen as a strategic blow to Hamas, further asserting Israeli control and altering the security arrangement with Gaza present for nearly two decades.
There is no clear consensus on how Egypt's response to Israel's plans will manifest or whether the two countries will reach an agreement that allows the operation to proceed without damaging bilateral relations.
The Jerusalem Post cites an IDF official on the magnitude of arms smuggling by Hamas.
The US-built pier on the Gaza coast will be removed and repaired following damage caused by rough seas
Palestinian prime minister visits Madrid after Spain recognizes Palestine
Israel reports it has seized control of a strategic section along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
