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.
There is One Route In & Out of Gaza
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.
What Will Happen if Israel Withdraws?
If Israel were to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor under a potential ceasefire deal, there are several things that could happen very quickly:
- Ammunition and weapons would begin pouring through the Egypt-Gaza border.
- Yahya Sinwar would try to escape into Egypt, and then make a run for Qatar (he is already begging Israel for his life)
- The hostages who remain alive in Gaza could be taken into Egypt, and then to who knows where, greatly diminishing their chances of rescue or escape.
- Hamas’ allies (Hezbollah, Yemen, Iran, and others) would be able to funnel money, weapons, and potentially terrorists into Gaza through Egypt.
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:
- Never surrender.
- Never capitulate.
- Never give up areas that would cause them to lose the war.
Withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor would most certainly mean defeat for Israel, and victory for Hamas. Israel must prevail.
I wholeheartedly agree and trust your assessment. May God keep the people of Israel strong and the IDF courageous and filled with godly wisdom.
I fully agree. Not only would retreating from there to negotiate an end of conflict, give Hamas time to escape, re-supply and re-organize, it also sends a message to all who wish for Israel’s destruction…. Capture Israelis, treat them worse than animals and then execute them…. this will break Israel’s resolve and cause their own countrymen to cry for a ceasefire to bring the hostages home. That is not the message that will benefit Israel. The surrounding nations must see their resolve and their unity within Israel. They should not bend to these tactics, regardless of how horrendous they are. That being said, my heart breaks for the family and friends of those that were executed and those that are still in captivity, and those brave souls that have lost their lives fighting in this conflict and the parents of the children killed at the park. Each of God’s chosen people are precious.
Follow the people who want to protect the Jewish people! Do not rely on the current administration in America, they are Communist/Marxist!
God bless Israel, watch over her army and keep them safe. May he fight Israel. Thank you to all these soldiers who put their life on the line daily to protect God‘s beloved Israel.
God bless Israel….God speed defeat to all her enemies…Never surrender…Israel is not fighting a war with rational enemies…they are fighting Satanic spirits that know no limits….Fight until they are all destroyed Israel…stay strong….this is God’s war…..You will win
I strongly support Israel. I believe they need to continue fighting against Hamas and other terrorist organizations that threaten them. They should not ever give in to the pressure to withdraw from the corridor. I pray they keep standing strong. Thank you for your truthful reports. Please keep them coming to make people aware of what’s really going on in this fight.