Israel Plans to Assume Control of Gaza's Last Remaining Border, Netanyahu Announces

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Saturday that the border between Egypt and Gaza "must" be closed, in order to give Israel full control over the Palestinian enclaves access to the world. Netanyahu emphasized during a press briefing that Israel would not consider the war finished until the Philadelphi Corridor, a 14km strip of land serving as a buffer zone on the border between Egypt and Gaza, is closed.

Egypt has cautioned Israel against conducting military operations in the corridor, as reported by Egypt's Ahram Online. The state-run news outlet, referencing an unnamed source, stated in October that any Israeli intervention in the Philadelphi Corridor would be considered a breach of the Egypt-Israel peace treaty of 1979.

Gaza is bordered by Israel on two sides, with its Mediterranean coast and airspace also under Israeli blockades. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt is the only point not controlled by Israel, but still faces limited access and lengthy Egyptian bureaucratic and security processes. Israeli officials are uncertain about how they will proceed with closing Gaza's border with Egypt, according to Netanyahu. However, doing so would symbolize a renewed Israeli control over the enclave and undermine Palestinians' limited sovereignty in Gaza.

Years of blockade

Until 2005, Israel maintained control over Gaza, but then withdrew its troops and settlers. In a surprising turn of events, Hamas emerged victorious in the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, marking the last polls held in Gaza. Since then, the Islamist militant group, whose charter advocates for the "obliteration" of Israel, has been in control of the enclave.

Israel has maintained control of most of the coastal enclaves perimeter, resulting in almost total isolation of Gaza from the rest of the world for nearly 17 years and severe restrictions on the movement of its population. The enclaves underground tunnel network has been used by smugglers to bring in commercial goods, people, and weapons, leading Israel to seek to cut it off from Egypt. The longstanding blockade of Israel has faced criticism from international bodies, including the United Nations, which reported in 2022 that the restrictions have had a significant impact on living conditions in Gaza, resulting in high unemployment, food insecurity, and aid dependency while undermining Gazas economy.

Israel maintains that the blockade is necessary to safeguard its citizens from Hamas, a position that has gained traction following the militant group's deadly attacks in Israel on October 7, which claimed the lives of 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials.

In the aftermath of the terrorist strikes, the Netanyahu government imposed a "total blockade" on Gaza and closed all border crossings, leaving Rafah as the only route for negotiated deliveries of essential humanitarian aid such as food and water, as well as for evacuations of foreign nationals. In recent weeks, some aid has also been permitted to enter Gaza through Israel's Kerem Shalom border crossing, following strong diplomatic pressure from the United States and other stakeholders.

However, aid organizations argue that the current level of assistance is insufficient and express concern about the increasing possibility of famine for Gaza's isolated population if Israeli import restrictions continue. Over the course of a three-month siege, health authorities in the Hamas-controlled enclave have reported over 23,000 fatalities. A December report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revealed that nearly 70% of these casualties were women and children.