Israel alleges that numerous smuggling tunnels belonging to Hamas run beneath the corridor. 

Israel’s military on Wednesday said it had achieved full operational control of the so-called Philedelphi Corridor along the length of Gaza’s shared border with Egypt.  

Israeli Defense Forces troops are currently engaged in a military offensive in the nearby southern Gaza city of Rafah. 

Israel says that numerous smuggling tunnels belonging to Hamas run beneath the corridor.

The narrow corridor is part of a larger demilitarized zone along Israel’s border with Egypt, with both sides only allowed to station a small number of troops and guards there. At the time of the accord, Israel’s troops controlled Gaza, prior to its 2005 withdrawal of troops and settlers.

Egypt warned earlier in the conflict that an Israeli “occupation” of the corridor would breach the bilateral treaty’s terms.