Israeli Forces Take Control of Buffer Zone in Southern Gaza and Egypt

On Wednesday, June 9, the Israeli army announced that its forces have taken control of the buffer zone in southern Gaza and Egypt. Reuters reported that this gives Israel complete control over the land border of Palestine with Egypt. Meanwhile, Israel continued its operations in Rafah in southern Gaza despite a ruling from the International Court of Justice in The Hague to cease attacks on the city, where half of Gaza's 2.3 million population has taken refuge. According to the report, Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesperson for the Israeli army, stated that Israeli forces have operational control of the "Philadelphi Corridor" along the Gaza-Egypt border. He added that the Philadelphi Corridor acted as a lifeline for Hamas, which used it to smuggle weapons into Gaza. Additionally, the Israeli army reported the discovery of a Hamas tunnel filled with rockets. The Hamas group, supported by the Islamic Republic, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, Israel, the European Union, the UK, Canada, Japan, and several other countries. The Israeli army spokesperson did not clarify what he meant by "operational control." Reuters quoted Haitham al-Hams, deputy of ambulance and emergency services in Rafah, stating, "We received calls from residents of Tal al-Sultan reporting that drones targeted displaced citizens moving towards safe areas." Health officials in Gaza, under Hamas control, reported that 19 civilians were killed in Israeli airstrikes and shelling throughout the strip. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields. Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel's national security advisor, stated on Wednesday that the war with Hamas is likely to continue until the end of this year. His remarks came as Israel expands its attacks on the city of Rafah, which has recently been the scene of intense fighting that has killed dozens, including displaced Palestinians. According to the Associated Press, the Israeli army also reported that three Israeli soldiers were killed on Tuesday by an apparent "booby trap" explosion inside a building. Hanegbi told Kan public radio that he "predicts" the war will continue for "another seven months" with the goal of eliminating the military and governing capabilities of Hamas and the smaller militant group, Islamic Jihad. Israel claims it must dismantle the last remaining brigades of Hamas in Rafah. The country has also stated that it seeks unlimited security control over the Gaza Strip, even after the war ends. According to Reuters, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that Israel must devise a post-war plan for Gaza; otherwise, it risks lawlessness, chaos, and the return of Hamas to Gaza. The United States, Israel's closest ally, reiterated its opposition to a large ground assault on Rafah on Tuesday, June 8, stating it does not believe such an operation is underway. According to the report, the armed wing of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad group, which is supported by the Islamic Republic, stated that they confronted Israeli forces in Rafah with anti-tank rockets and mortars. In this context, the Israeli army announced that three of its soldiers were killed in Rafah, and three others were seriously wounded. The potential U.S. reaction to Algeria's draft resolution presented to the Security Council for a ceasefire in Gaza emphasizes the continuation of aid to Gaza's civilians; the U.S. stated that the aid dock is being rebuilt. Displaced Gazans are suffering from a lack of money for food, and children are falling ill. European allies of Israel have called for a halt to the war in Gaza, but Netanyahu responded negatively. A senior Israeli official stated that the war in Gaza is likely to continue until winter. Following a closed-door Security Council meeting, Algeria presented a draft resolution calling for a ceasefire. The U.S. emphasized the continuation of aid to Gaza's civilians; the Pentagon is rebuilding the aid dock. The Biden administration has questioned Israel regarding the recent deadly attack in Rafah.