I recently had a chance to go inside Gaza, drive the entire length of the Philadelphi Corridor, and see firsthand Israel’s war with Hamas. Ironically, the Philadelphi Corridor has been in the news constantly this week, with the entire world calling for Israel to withdraw from this area of Gaza in an effort to secure a ceasefire deal with Hamas.
There is just one problem. Withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor would most undoubtedly cause Israel to lose the war, drastically reduce the chances of any remaining hostages who are alive to be rescued, allow Hamas to re-arm and reorganize, and give Yahya Sinwar, the only significant Hamas leader left in Gaza, a chance to escape.
Let me explain.
The Philadelphi Corridor runs east to west, and is located directly to the north of the Egyptian border, and just south of Rafah, a Hamas stronghold that the IDF recently conquered. The length of the corridor is seven miles, and begins at the Kerem Shalom Crossing and ends at the Mediterranean Sea, where the borders of Gaza and Egypt meet.
The IDF has already discovered 200 tunnels that run under the Corridor. If you do basic math, that averages out to one tunnel every 185 feet for the entire width of southern Gaza. Many of these tunnels go directly into Egypt, some as far as six kilometers (more than three miles). Israel discovered this after the Bentonite (liquid clay) they had pumped into the tunnels emerged as a lake deep inside Egypt. Even though hundreds have been discovered, the IDF estimates that there are still 40-50 more tunnels under the corridor that they have yet to find.
The IDF is drilling every seven meters (23 feet) along the corridor, and going at least 90 feet deep on every probe.
Since October 7th, Israel has locked down Gaza, strictly controlling everything that goes in and out. They are also tightly controlling access to Gaza from the Mediterranean Sea, ensuring that no members of Hamas, or any arms or military equipment go in or out.
This leaves only one point of access: the Egyptian border. Some of the 200 tunnels that have already been discovered under the Philadelphi Corridor are large enough for trucks to drive through, and some even have tracks in them.
Let me be clear. By controlling the Philadelphi Corridor the IDF has finally locked down the last point of entry and exit for Gaza. Hamas is almost out of ammunition, and the only significant Hamas leader left in Gaza is Yahya Sinwar, currently thought to be hiding deep underground in a tunnel.
If Israel were to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor under a potential ceasefire deal, there are several things that could happen very quickly:
It is important not to believe the lies of the world governments who are pressuring Israel to capitulate to Hamas. It is also important not to listen to the voices of those who mean well, but greatly misunderstand the situation on the ground in Gaza.
After seeing Gaza, and putting my boots on the ground there, I realized the importance of Israel’s Defense Forces remaining in the Philadelphi Corridor, and never compromising with Hamas. After hearing directly from those who are actively involved in this war with Hamas, I realized that Israel will only gain complete victory over their enemies if they are allowed to fully do their job, without listening to outside voices who are pressuring them to surrender.
For those who are from the nations and are Israel supporters, it is more important than ever to make your voice heard. The time has come for us to march, rally, and advocate publicly for Israel to:
Withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor would most certainly mean defeat for Israel, and victory for Hamas. Israel must prevail.
