Israel has announced plans to expand its military operations by controlling the southern Gaza Strip’s ‘Morag Axis’ to the level of the Philadelphia Corridor.
On November 2nd (local time), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a declaration, “We have changed our policy in Gaza,” and announced plans to seize control of the Morag Axis to attack terrorists, secure territory, and destroy Hamas infrastructure.
Morag is a former Jewish settlement located between Rafah and Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. The Philadelphia Corridor is a buffer zone approximately 14 kilometers long between Gaza and the Egyptian border, which the Israeli military reoccupied in May last year. The intention to make Morag like the Philadelphia Corridor implies a strengthened control. This indicates Israel’s intention to increase physical control over the southern Gaza area and intensify pressure on Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu warned, “We are imposing a blockade on Gaza and applying gradual pressure,” and cautioned that Hamas will face greater consequences if they do not release hostages. Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the military would expand its operations in Gaza.