Israel seizes Philadelphi Corridor on Gaza's Egyptian border

The Israeli military claims to have taken "tactical control" over the Philadelphi Corridor, a nine-mile-long buffer zone between Gaza and Egypt. According to Israel, this strategic area is crucial for its national security, as it allows Hamas to smuggle weapons into Gaza through tunnels. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported finding approximately 20 tunnels used by Hamas in the area. However, Egyptian officials have denied the existence of these tunnels, with Egyptian TV sources claiming that Israel is trying to justify its military operation in Rafah. This denial has led to heightened tensions between Egypt and Israel.