Over the holiday, the IDF completed its takeover of the Morag Corridor, a key route separating Khan Yunis from Rafah. With this operation, the IDF has effectively split the Gaza Strip from east to west across a 12-kilometer stretch, turning the area between the Philadelphi Corridor and Morag one into part of Israel’s expanding security zone. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated this evening: “Hundreds of thousands of residents have already evacuated from the combat zones. A significant portion of Gaza’s territory is now part of Israel’s security buffer.”
Air Force Strikes Over 90 Terror Targets in 48 Hours
Over the past ten days, IDF forces have been maneuvering in the area, eliminating dozens of terrorists, destroying underground routes and Hamas terror infrastructure, and completing the encirclement of Rafah. In the past 48 hours alone, the Israeli Air Force has struck more than 90 targets belonging to terrorist organizations throughout the Gaza Strip. Among the targets was the launch site used yesterday to fire rockets at communities surrounding Gaza. Weapons storage facilities, terrorist cells, and additional infrastructure were also targeted.
Large Portions of Gaza Now Part of Israeli Security Zone
In northern Gaza, including Beit Hanoun and surrounding neighborhoods, residents are evacuating and the territory is being secured. The IDF continues to expand its security zone, including in the Netzarim Corridor. Combat teams from the IDF’s Northern Brigade continue operations in the northern part of the Strip.
As part of these efforts, elite Yahalom Unit soldiers destroyed a tunnel route discovered in northern Gaza. The route extended approximately 1.2 kilometers and reached a depth of 20 meters.
Watch the destruction of the terror tunnel:
“Gaza Will Become Smaller and More Isolated”
Defense Minister Katz explained that before every IDF ground maneuver—and only after the evacuation of civilians—the IDF carries out heavy preparatory bombardments from land, air, and sea. These are followed by the use of heavy machinery to uncover explosives and demolish threatening structures. This approach, he said, provides IDF soldiers with the most powerful support system possible to protect their lives and ensure mission success.
According to Katz, this operational concept is fully backed by the political leadership. The primary goal, he said, “is to exert heavy pressure on Hamas in order to return to a framework for freeing the hostages.”
He added: “As long as Hamas persists in its refusal, the IDF’s operations will intensify—continuing the elimination of operatives and destruction of infrastructure. Gaza will become smaller and more isolated, and more and more of its residents will be forced to evacuate from combat zones.”
“Soon, IDF Operations Will Expand Across Most of Gaza”
Katz addressed the residents of Gaza following the completion of the Morag Axis operation. “This is the final moment to remove Hamas, free all the hostages, and bring an end to the war. Soon, the IDF’s operations will expand with force to additional areas across most of Gaza.”
He continued: “Hamas is incapable of protecting either residents or territory. Hamas leaders are hiding in tunnels with their families, or in luxury hotels abroad with billions in bank accounts, using you as human shields.”
The only path to ending the fighting, he stated, is “to rise up and expel Hamas and free all the Israeli hostages.” Katz also referenced the idea of voluntary emigration: “Those interested will be allowed to relocate voluntarily to various countries around the world, in accordance with the U.S. President’s vision, which we are working to implement.”
