Israeli forces have taken control of a buffer zone along the Gaza Strip-Egypt border, the Israeli military announced on Wednesday, effectively giving Israel authority over the entire land border of the Palestinian territory. Despite an International Court of Justice order to halt attacks on Rafah in southern Gaza, Israel continued its raids. Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that Israeli forces now have "operational" control over the "Philadelphi Corridor," a 14 km-long corridor on Gaza's border with Egypt. Hagari emphasized that this corridor was crucial for Hamas to smuggle weapons into Gaza. An Israeli military official confirmed the presence of Israeli troops along parts of the corridor.
Previously, the border with Egypt was Gaza's only land border not directly controlled by Israel. On Wednesday, Israeli tanks conducted raids into Rafah, marking the first incursion into the heart of the city despite the U.N. court's order. Haitham al Hams, the deputy director of ambulance and emergency services in Rafah, reported drone attacks on displaced citizens moving to safer areas. Palestinian health officials reported 19 civilian deaths due to Israeli airstrikes and shelling across Gaza. Israel accuses Hamas of using civilians as shields, which Hamas denies.
Health Minister Majed Abu Raman called on Washington to pressure Israel to open the Rafah crossing for aid, as patients in Gaza are dying from lack of treatment. Israel's National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi indicated that fighting in Gaza would continue through 2024, asserting that the conflict aimed to end Hamas rule and prevent attacks on Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Israel must plan for post-war Gaza to avoid chaos and a potential Hamas resurgence. The U.S. reiterated its opposition to a major ground offensive in Rafah, though it did not believe such an operation was currently underway.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported over 36,000 Palestinian deaths since Israel's offensive began, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 hostages taken by militants.
Ceasefire negotiations and hostage release talks showed no progress on Wednesday, with Hamas insisting that talks are futile unless Israel ends its Rafah offensive. Hamas and Islamic Jihad reported using rockets and explosive devices against Israeli forces in Rafah, resulting in three Israeli soldiers killed and three seriously injured. Palestinian health officials reported injuries from Israeli fire and aid stores set ablaze in eastern Rafah, where Israeli bombardment has destroyed many homes.
The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, stated that around one million Palestinians had fled Rafah following Israeli evacuation orders. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) evacuated its medical teams from a designated civilian evacuation zone due to continued bombardments, reporting two staff members killed in an ambulance strike. Additional airstrikes in Gaza City and Khan Younis resulted in several deaths, including children and a former senior Hamas police officer.
Malnutrition is widespread in Gaza as humanitarian aid deliveries have decreased significantly. The U.N. warned of famine, noting that the amount of aid entering Gaza has dropped by two-thirds since Israel's assault on Rafah began.