View source for Philadelphi Corridor

{{Short description|Strip of land on the Egypt–Gaza border}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|Philadelphi|Philadelphia}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Philadelphi Corridor
| image_map = Gaza Strip map2.svg
| map_caption = The Philadelphi Route separates Egyptian Sinai from the Gaza Strip, stretching north-northwest from Kerem Shalom to the Mediterranean Sea
| mapframe = yes
| subdivision_type1 = Region
| subdivision_name1 = [[Gaza Strip]], [[Palestine]]
}}
{{Gaza blockade}}

The '''Philadelphi Corridor''', also called '''Philadelphi Route''', is the [[Israel]]i code name for a narrow strip of land, some 100 metres wide and 14&nbsp;km (8.7 miles) long, situated along the entirety of the [[Egypt–Gaza border|border]] between the [[Gaza Strip]] and [[Egypt]].<ref name="Hirsch" />

Following Israel's [[Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip|unilateral disengagement]] from the Gaza Strip in 2005, the ''Philadelphi Accord'' with Egypt was concluded, which authorized Egypt to deploy 750 [[Egyptian Border Guard Corps|border guards]] along the route to patrol the border on Egypt's side. The Palestinian side of the border was controlled by the [[Palestinian Authority]] until the [[Battle of Gaza (2007)|2007 takeover]] by [[Hamas]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Facts, figures about the Gaza-Egypt border barrier |date=23 January 2008 |newspaper=International Herald Tribune |via=Associated Press |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/01/23/news/Border-Barrier-Glance.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129004935/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/01/23/news/Border-Barrier-Glance.php |archive-date=29 January 2008}}</ref> The joint authority for the [[Rafah Border Crossing]] was transferred to the Palestinian Authority and Egypt for restricted passage by Palestinian ID card holders, and by others by exception.

One purpose of the Philadelphi Route was to prevent the [[border control|movement of illegal materials]] (including weapons and ammunition) and people between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.

==Background==
The 1979 [[Egypt–Israel peace treaty]] stipulated that the Israel-Egypt border would follow the border of [[Mandatory Palestine]]. The new border divided Rafah into two towns, one [[Rafah|Palestinian]] and one [[Rafah, Egypt|Egyptian]], separating families on both sides of the border. Following the [[October 2014 Sinai attacks]], Egypt destroyed the Egyptian side of the city and had demolished at least 7,460 buildings by 2020.<ref name="HRW Demolitions">{{Cite web |date=17 March 2021 |title=Egypt: Massive Sinai Demolitions Likely War Crimes {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/17/egypt-massive-sinai-demolitions-likely-war-crimes |access-date=19 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Philadelphi Accord==
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Tunnel With Wooden Walls (1).jpg|thumb|right|[[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] soldiers uncover a tunnel near the Philadelphi Route shortly before the disengagement]]

In 2004, the Israeli [[Knesset]] approved [[Israel's unilateral disengagement plan|a plan to unilaterally withdraw]] all Israeli citizens and military forces from the Gaza Strip, which went into force in August 2005.<ref name="NewReality1" /> The [[2004 disengagement plan|disengagement plan]] defined the Philadelphi Corridor as "The border area between the Gaza Strip and Egypt".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://peacemaker.un.org/sites/peacemaker.un.org/files/IsraelOPt_DisengagementPlan2004.pdf|title=The Disengagement Plan - General Outline 18 April 2004}}</ref> The name Philadelphi was randomly chosen for the 9 mile-long corridor by the Israeli army.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLB69330/|title=FACTBOX-The Gaza-Egypt border corridor |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

On 1 September 2005, the "Agreed Arrangements Regarding the Deployment of a Designated Force of Border Guards Along the Border in the Rafah Area", known as the Philadelphi Accord,  was signed by Israel and Egypt. Under the accord, Egypt was authorized to deploy border guards along the route to patrol the border on Egypt's side.<ref name="NewReality1">{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/a-new-reality-on-the-egypt-gaza-border-part-i-contents-of-the-new-israel-eg|title=A New Reality on the Egypt-Gaza Border (part I): Contents of the New Israel-Egypt Agreement |author=Brooke Neuman |publisher=Washington Institute for Near East Policy |date=19 September 2005}}</ref> The objective was to prevent [[Gaza Strip smuggling tunnels|smuggling of weapons]] from [[Egypt]] into the [[Gaza Strip]],  infiltration and other criminal activity. Egypt would also coordinate operations and share intelligence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/pressroom/2005/pages/cabinet%20communique%2028-aug-2005.aspx#egypt |title=Cabinet Communique |publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel)]] |date=28 August 2005}}</ref> [[Rafah Crossing]] would be the main border crossing with Gaza. The area near the border (known as Area C) would be a demilitarized zone, with Egypt only permitted to maintain police forces there.<ref name="Hirsch">{{cite journal |first=Moshe |last=Hirsch |journal=Israel Law Review |volume=39 |issue=3 |year=2006 |title="Treaty-Making Power: Approval of the Israel-Egypt "Philadelphi Accord" by the Knesset |pages=230–234 |url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/israel39&div=35&g_sent=1#647 |doi=10.1017/S0021223700013182 |access-date=20 May 2010|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The Accord contains 83 clauses and specifically describes the mission and obligations of the parties, including the specific types of machinery, weaponry and infrastructure permitted.<ref name="NewReality1" />

===Egyptian Border Guard Force===
The Philadelphi Accord created the Egyptian Border Guard Force (BGF) composed of 750 ground personnel divided between headquarters and four companies deployed along the route to patrol the border on Egypt's side. The agreement specified that the Egyptian force is "a designated force for the combating of terrorism and infiltration across the border" and not intended for any military purposes.

{{blockquote|The parties acknowledge that the BGF [Border Guard Force] deployment and these Agreed Arrangements, in no way constitute an amendment to or a revision or modification of Annex I to the Peace Treaty. Rather they constitute additional mission-oriented security measures agreed upon by the parties.|source=Philadelphi Accord, Article 9}}

Instead, it "enhance[ed] Egypt's capability to fight smuggling along the border," while ensuring that the forces would not serve any military purposes. Sentry posts, watchtowers and logistical facilities were permitted. Heavy armored vehicles, fortification, military-style intelligence-gathering equipment, and weaponry and equipment beyond the below numbers were prohibited.<ref name="NewReality1" /> Israel insisted on the inclusion of provisions indicating that the Accord was not an amendment to the [[Egypt–Israel peace treaty|1979 Peace Treaty]]. During negotiations Egypt attempted to frame the agreement toward the re-militarization of the Sinai and its borders with Israel and Gaza.<ref name="NewReality2" />

The BGF are equipped with the following:

* 500 assault rifles
* 67 light machine guns
* 27 light anti-personnel launchers
* ground radar
* 31 police-style vehicles
* 44 logistical and auxiliary vehicles<ref name="NewReality1" />

===Reaction===
For strategic reasons, the Israeli defense establishment opposed vacating the Philadelphi route. A primary concern was the threat to Israeli security from [[militarization]] of Gaza. However, Israel decided to vacate the corridor in order to prevent friction which could destabilize the region further.<ref name="NewReality1" />

The decision to withdraw from the Philadelphi Route also posed a threat to the neighboring Egyptians through the potential militarization of Gaza.  It was feared that Israel's departure would create a [[power vacuum]] that the weak Palestinian leadership would not be able to fill, thus creating a void to be filled by radical Islamists.<ref name="NewReality2">{{cite web |author=Machael Herzog |publisher=Washington Institute for Near East Policy |date=21 September 2005 |title=A New Reality on the Egypt-Gaza Border (part II): Analysis of the New Israel-Egypt Agreement |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/new-reality-egypt-gaza-border-part-ii-analysis-new-israel-egypt-agreement}}</ref>
A number of scholars have looked into the legal issue of whether or not the Philadelphi Accord needed to be passed by the Knesset. Generally, the Knesset approves of major treaties either before or after their passage. The issue arose because the Philadelphi Accord would partially militarize Area D of the Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty, changing the treaty and hence needing Knesset approval. This position was advocated by the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairperson, [[Yuval Steinitz]]; he was supported by MK [[Danny Yatom]] and they jointly filed a petition to the Supreme Court against the Government. Prime Minister [[Ariel Sharon]] on the other hand, argued that the treaty did not change the "demilitarized" status of Area C, and therefore was not a significant enough treaty that it needed to be ratified. On 6 July 2005, the Attorney General ruled that the government was not bound to seek Knesset approval for the treaty, but convention stipulated that it should.<ref name="Hirsch" />

== Rafah border crossing ==
{{Main|Rafah border crossing}}

Following the disengagement from Gaza, Israel signed with the [[Palestinian Authority]] the [[Agreement on Movement and Access]] (AMA) on 15 November 2005. The Agreement allowed the opening of the Gaza-Egypt border for restricted passage of Palestinian residents, and the export of agricultural products from Gaza. The AMA also promised a link between Gaza and West Bank for buses and trucks, construction of a Gaza Seaport, discussion regarding a Gaza airport, and more freedom of movement within the West Bank.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/C9A5AA5245D910BB852570BB0051711C |title=Agreed documents by Israel and Palestinians on Movement and Access from and to Gaza |publisher=[[United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232023/http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/C9A5AA5245D910BB852570BB0051711C |archive-date=4 October 2013 |date=15 November 2005}}</ref> The [[Rafah Border Crossing]] was opened near [[Rafah]] on 25 November 2005, operated by the Palestinian Authority and US-sponsored<ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5309.htm#relations |title=Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs — Background Note: Egypt |publisher=U.S. State Department |date=10 November 2010}}</ref> Egypt, under supervision of [[European Union Border Assistance Mission Rafah|EU observers]]. During the first six months of 2006, the crossing was opened nine and a half hours a day with an average of 650 people crossing daily each way, which was almost double the average prior to the AMA.<ref name="AMA One Year">{{cite web |url=http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/AMA_One_Year_On_Nov06_final.pdf |title=The Agreement on Movement and Access One Year On |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005021418/http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/AMA_One_Year_On_Nov06_final.pdf |archive-date=5 October 2013 |publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) |date=November 2006}}</ref>

After Hamas [[2006 Gaza cross-border raid|kidnapped Gilad Shalit]], the Rafah border was closed on 25 June 2006, although the incident did not happen in Rafah. Since then, the crossing was only irregularly opened for very limited cases. The border was never opened for the passage of goods.<ref name="AMA One Year" /> When [[Hamas]] [[Fatah–Hamas battle in Gaza|took over the Gaza Strip]] in 2007, Egypt and Israel closed the borders with Gaza.

===Hamas control of Gaza===
In January 2008, Palestinian militants [[2008 breach of the Gaza–Egypt border|breached several parts of the wall]] bordering the town of Rafah. Thousands of Gazans flowed into Egypt in search of food and supplies.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7205668.stm |title=Egypt 'won't force Gazans back' |publisher=BBC News |date=23 January 2008 |access-date=23 January 2008}}</ref> {{As of|2012|August}} the [[Egyptian Army]] continued to destroy tunnels linking Egypt and Gaza and their security source said their demolition will continue "in order to fight any element of terrorism."<ref name="Ma'an Aug 2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=513948 |title=Egypt resumes demolition of Gaza tunnels |publisher=[[Ma'an News Agency]] |access-date=16 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430023953/http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=513948|archive-date=30 April 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

After the fall of the Mubarak regime in 2011, Egypt relaxed restrictions at its border with the Gaza Strip, allowing more Palestinians to cross freely for the first time in four years.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13581141 |title=Egypt eases blockade at Gaza's Rafah border |publisher=BBC News |date=28 May 2011}}</ref> The [[Egyptian army]] continued to destroy [[Gaza Strip smuggling tunnels]], according to the Egyptian army ''"in order to fight any element of terrorism"''.<ref name="Ma'an Aug 2012" />

As of April 2013, Egypt reinforced its troops on the border with the Gaza Strip. The Egyptian Army destroyed tunnels by flooding them.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-egypt-tunnels-idUSBRE91C0RF20130213 |title=Egypt floods Gaza tunnels to cut Palestinian lifeline |publisher=Reuters |date=13 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hamas-egypt-destroying-gaza-smuggling-tunnels-by-flooding-them.premium-1.502707 |title=Hamas: Egypt destroying Gaza smuggling tunnels by flooding them |author=Jack Khoury |newspaper=Haaretz |date=11 February 2013}}</ref>

In October 2014, Egypt announced that they planned to expand the buffer zone between Gaza and Egypt, following a terrorist attack from Gaza that killed 31 Egyptian soldiers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Egypt-begins-Gaza-border-evacuation-to-create-security-buffer-380182 |title=Egypt begins Gaza border evacuation to create security buffer |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> Between July 2013 and August 2015, Egypt demolished 3,255 private houses on their side of the Egypt-Gaza border in order to create a buffer zone.<ref>{{cite web |title='Look for Another Homeland': Forced Evictions in Egypt's Rafah |date=22 September 2015 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2015/09/22/look-another-homeland/forced-evictions-egypts-rafah}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Egypt 'demolished thousands of homes' for Gaza buffer zone |date=22 September 2015 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/egypt-demolished-thousands-of-homes-for-gaza-buffer-zone/}}</ref> By 2020, at least 7,460 buildings had been demolished.<ref name="HRW Demolitions" />

===2023–present Gaza war===
{{See also|Rafah offensive}}
The Rafah area was the site of active conflict in the [[Gaza war]], including the border crossing which was at least partially closed due to military action.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel strikes and seals off Gaza after incursion by Hamas, which vows to execute hostages |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-airstrikes-hostages-4377e096f62bf535bebcdff38cf16049 |access-date=10 October 2023 |publisher=Associated Press |date=9 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt disrupted by Israeli air raids |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/9/rafah-crossing-between-gaza-and-egypt-disrupted-by-israeli-air-raids |access-date=10 October 2023 |publisher=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

On 11 December 2023, Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] told a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee that Israel will control the Philadelphi Corridor (border between Gaza and Egypt) and that Israel would impose a buffer zone inside the Gaza Strip.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.jns.org/israel-starts-building-gaza-buffer-zone/ |title=Israel starts building Gaza buffer zone |publisher=Jewish News Syndicate |date=24 December 2023}}</ref>

On 16 January 2024, the Egyptian government warned that any occupation of the Philadelphi Corridor by Israeli forces would be a violation of the 1978 [[Camp David Accords]].<ref name=f24-20240214>{{cite news |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240214-israel-egypt-philadelphi-corridor-goal-netanyahu-red-line-war |title=The 'Philadelphi Corridor': A goal for Netanyahu, a red line for Egypt |last=Daou |first=Marc |publisher=France 24 |date=14 February 2024 |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref><ref name=egyptsis-20240116>{{cite web |url=https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/191152/Egypt-warns-Israeli-retaking-of-Philadelphi-Corridor-would-violate-peace-treaty |title=Egypt warns Israeli retaking of Philadelphi Corridor would violate peace treaty |website=State Information Servic, Egypt |date=16 January 2024 |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref>

On 7 May 2024, Israel took control of the Rafah crossing and stationed its forces within the Philadelphi Corridor, violating the terms of the Camp David Accords.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Israel puts Egypt in tough spot with move within Philadelphi Corridor |url=https://thearabweekly.com/israel-puts-egypt-tough-spot-move-within-philadelphi-corridor |work=The Arab Weekly |date=8 May 2024}}</ref><ref name=rusi-20240605>{{cite web |url=https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/ever-day-after-egypt-israel-and-gaza |title=Ever the Day After: Egypt, Israel and Gaza |last=Hellyer |first=H A |publisher=Royal United Services Institute |date=5 June 2024 |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref> On 15 May, Israel asked Egypt to open its border so Gazan civilians who wished to, could flee across to Egypt.<ref name=reuters-20240515>{{cite news |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/israel-says-eliminate-hamas-battalions-124657884.html |title=Israel says it will eliminate Hamas battalions in Rafah, not necessarily every Hamas fighter |last=Angel |first=Maytaal |publisher=Yahoo |agency=Reuters |date=15 May 2024 |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref>

The [[Middle East Monitor]] reported diplomatic sources said that on 19 August 2024, the Israeli government had asked to cancel the Philadelphi Accord during tripartite diplomatic talks in Cairo between Israel, Egypt and the US which were attempting to reach security understandings. Egypt was reported to have categorically rejected this request.<ref name=mem-20240821>{{cite news |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240821-israel-asks-to-amend-camp-david-deal-with-egypt-for-control-over-philadelphi-corridor/ |title=Israel asks to amend Camp David deal with Egypt for control over Philadelphi Corridor |website=Middle East Monitor |location=London |date=21 August 2024 |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Egypt–Gaza barrier]]
* [[Morag Corridor]]
* [[Netzarim Corridor]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* Sullivan, Denis Joseph; Jones, Kimberly A. (2008). [https://books.google.com/books?id=fGWiXfGrBWAC&dq=philadelphi+corridor+split+Rafah&pg=PA116 ''Global Security Watch—Egypt: A Reference Handbook'']. Westport, CT: Praeger Security International. pp.&nbsp;116s. {{ISBN|9780275994822}}. {{OCLC|647871172}}.

{{Gaza war}}
{{whole Gaza Strip}}

[[Category:1979 establishments in the Israeli Military Governorate]]
[[Category:Egypt–Gaza Strip border]]
[[Category:Gaza–Israel conflict]]
[[Category:Israeli Security Forces]]
[[Category:Rafah in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]