On April 12, Israel’s military announced the completion of a new strategic corridor in southern Gaza called the Morag axis, cutting between Rafah and Khan Yunis. This move creates a direct link between the Philadelphi corridor—a narrow strip along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt—and the former Israeli settlement of Morag, establishing a broader security zone under Israeli control.
- According to Defense Minister Israel Katz, the corridor strengthens Israeli presence along the Egypt-Gaza border, effectively complementing existing control over the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors. Together with newly created buffer zones, Israel now controls over 50% of Gaza’s territory.
- As part of this expanded offensive, Israel issued evacuation orders for tens of thousands of Palestinians in and around Khan Yunis, following rocket attacks launched from the area.
Key Geographic Notes:
- Philadelphi Corridor: A 9-mile (14 km) by 100-meter strip along the Egypt-Gaza border, encompassing the Rafah crossing—the main exit point from Gaza into Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
- Rafah Crossing: It is the southernmost post of exit from Gaza and borders Egypt’s Sinai peninsula. There are only two other border crossings from and into the Gaza Strip – Erez, a crossing into Israel in northern Gaza, which is for people, and Kerem Shalom, a solely commercial goods junction with Israel in southern Gaza. Both are shut.
- Blue Line: While unrelated to the current Gaza conflict, this line demarcates the border between Israel and Lebanon/the Golan Heights.
