Netanyahu announces Israeli military to seize control of Morag Corridor in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday that the Israeli military would seize control of the Morag Corridor in Gaza, following a strategy similar to its control of the Philadelphi Corridor.

“We are taking control of the Morag Corridor, which will be an additional Philadelphi Corridor,” Netanyahu said in a video statement, according to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

He added that the military had attempted to secure the Morag Corridor Tuesday night.

Located between Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, the Morag Corridor is named after a former Israeli settlement evacuated in 2005. The Philadelphi Corridor, along the Gaza-Egypt border, has been under Israeli control since May 2024.

“We will increase pressure (through fighting and the blockade) in Gaza step by step until we bring back the hostages,” Netanyahu said, referring to 59 Israeli captives Tel Aviv estimates remain in Gaza, including 24 believed to be alive.

Death toll rises as Israel shatters cease-fire

Meanwhile, over 9,500 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons, enduring conditions of torture, starvation, and medical neglect that have caused numerous deaths, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups and media reports.

Israel launched a surprise aerial campaign against Gaza on March 18, killing more than 1,000 people and injuring over 2,500. The attack shattered a January cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

Since Israel’s military onslaught began in October 2023, more than 50,400 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.