FALCON POWERS – The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, that according to Egyptian officials, the Israeli occupation army controls about 70% of the Philadelphi Corridor separating Gaza and Egypt, and plans to take control of the border by the end of the current month.
According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli tanks advanced in the Al-Barazil neighborhood towards the Bahloul gas station and the Dhu al-Nurayn Mosque in Rafah, and the vehicles were seen behind the Palestinian Bank and the livestock market.
Israel claimed that it will move in stages to reduce civilian casualties, but its moves along the Egyptian border have raised tensions with its oldest Arab partner.
Israel had relinquished control of the corridor in 2005, but it now says the area is full of tunnels that have enabled Hamas to smuggle weapons.
However, Israeli action there requires coordination with Egypt, which rejects Israel’s efforts to keep troops on the border.
The Egyptian Army Mobilizes Forces on the Gaza Border
According to Egyptian officials, the Egyptian army has significantly increased the number of its forces in the Sinai Peninsula along the border with Gaza, to prevent the conflict from spreading to its territory.
On Wednesday, the Israeli army radio said that 10 brigades of the army are currently fighting in the Gaza Strip, the largest number of brigades since the beginning of the current year.
The Israeli army radio also announced that “the army is expanding its offensive on the city of Rafah (southern Gaza Strip) by introducing the Nahal Brigade (one of the elite brigades) there last night, which is the fifth brigade working there.”
On April 25, Israel announced the withdrawal of the Nahal Brigade from the Gaza Strip, after its participation in combat operations for 6 months; in preparation for a military operation in Rafah.
It is noteworthy that the Israeli operations in Rafah and the increasing control of the Philadelphi Corridor have impeded efforts to respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation across the Strip.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said it suspended the distribution of food aid in Rafah on Tuesday, due to supply shortages and security conditions.
