Why in the News?

The Philadelphi Corridor is a key issue in ceasefire talks as Israel’s war on Gaza continues, with Palestinian deaths nearing 41,000.

About Philadelphi Corridor

The Philadelphi Corridor is a strategically significant strip of land between the Gaza-Egypt border.
It spans about 14 kilometers in length and 100 meters in width.
This area plays a critical role in regional security and the geopolitics surrounding Gaza, Israel, and Egypt.
It runs from the Mediterranean Sea in the north to the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel in the south.
It includes the Rafah crossing, the main border point between Gaza and Egypt.
It acts as a buffer zone between Egypt and Gaza, with control over it influencing security and smuggling activities in the region.

The Corridor became significant after the 1979 Camp David peace treaty, allowing Israel to maintain a limited military presence.
In 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza, including the corridor, leaving Egypt and the Palestinian Authority responsible for security.
In 2007, Hamas took control of Gaza, increasing smuggling activities through tunnels in the corridor.
Israel regained control of the corridor in May 2023 during a ground offensive in Gaza.
The corridor has since been central to Israel’s strategy for controlling arms smuggling and preventing Hamas from using it as a supply route.